4 days ago
Moment feral yob attacks PCSO outside newsagents before have-a-go heroes intervene
This is the moment a feral yob left a police community support officer with a suspected broken nose after he attacked him outside of a newsagents.
The man, who was wearing a grey hoodie, was seen running towards the PCSO and unloading a barrage of punches to his face.
The officer tried to duck away to avoid the blows and could be heard shouting 'help me' to passersby who then ran over to intervene.
One bravely grabbed the attacker while the others tried to protect the PCSO.
It happened at around 6.45pm on May 29 at Broadfield, Crawley, West Sussex.
Police arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and assault. He reportedly remained in police custody today.
The PSCO was released from hospital in the early hours of this morning and is recovering at home.
A Sussex Police spokesperson said: 'The officer had responded to a report of a man acting suspiciously in the Broadfield Barton area around 6.45pm on Thursday, May 29.
'But as he approached the suspect to engage with him, he was punched to the face several times.
'Members of the public stepped in to help detain the man while further units arrived, and the officer was taken to hospital with a suspected broken nose.'
Supt Imran Asghar, said: 'This was a totally deplorable act on a PCSO, whose purpose is to serve and protect the community.
'And I'd like to remind the public that assaults on emergency workers will absolutely not be tolerated.
'Our officers put on their uniforms each day to catch criminals, protect the public and deliver an outstanding service.
'Being assaulted will never be considered 'part of the job', and anyone caught committing offences of this nature can expect to face the consequences.
'I'd like to commend the brave members of the public who stepped in and helped to detain the suspect.
'Their quick-thinking actions ensured the suspect could be arrested and the PCSO could receive the necessary medical treatment he needed.'
The people who helped the PCSO were praised by locals.
Tracy Smythe said: 'That poor officer, hope he is okay.'
Sophie Hearn said: 'Fair play to those that stepped in to help rather than just standing and watching it happen.'
Darren Palmer added: 'I don't know who that guy in the white shirt is but someone should be buying him a drink.'
