Arrests made after police officers abused and attacked in Rugby town centre and Whitnash over the weekend

Two Rugby police officers were verbally abused and then attacked while they attended a report of a disturbance in Rugby town centre on Friday night.

The two special officers, who volunteer their time and have the same powers as a full-time police constable, were attending the report on Church Street at around 10.30pm.

They were then verbally abused and assaulted - resulting in one of the officers sustaining hand injuries.

A 26-year-old man from Rugby was arrested on suspicion of assaulting police and has been released on police bail.

A separate 26-year-old man was also given a Penalty Notice for Disorder for being drunk and disorderly in a public place in relation to the incident.

In another incident, a police community support officer (PCSO) was also assaulted on Friday evening following an incident on Palmer Road in Whitnash.

Thankfully she was not injured.

A 51-year-old man from Leamington was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.

He later received a caution for the offence.

Det chief supt John Denley from Warwickshire Police said: “It’s extremely disappointing to hear that over the weekend, three of our workforce – including two special officers who volunteer their time for free – were assaulted during the course of their duties.

“Our officers work relentlessly to protect the public, and throughout the coronavirus pandemic alongside other emergency workers they have continued to respond to calls for help and put themselves at risk in order to be there for others.

“These offences are completely unacceptable and we will not tolerate them against our staff or other emergency workers.

"When assaults do occur we will always do our utmost to put people before the courts.”