Bedfordshire Police have issued a social distancing reminder after an officer was seriously injured while breaking up a party of 20 people.
While the party was in Luton, police have issued a county-wide reminder to people that there are still social distancing measures in place to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
As two officers attempted to bring the party to an end on Saturday night (13 June), one had a drink thrown in his face and was hit on the head with a heavy object.
He was treated at the scene but later had stitches to his head wound at hospital.
The other officer also suffered minor injuries.
“This sort of behaviour is clearly unacceptable and I am sure many of the people at this party feel exactly the same way,” said Detective Inspector Tom Hamm.
Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Kathryn Holloway also took to opportunity to remind people of social distancing rules.
“It is outrageous that a police officer who was acting to protect the wider public with regard to the deadly risks presented by the coronavirus should have been attacked and injured in this way,” she said.
Bedford and Luton are in the top 50 local authority areas nationally for the proportion of people infected with Covid-19.
Read: Bedford Borough has highest coronavirus infection rate in East of England
Bedfordshire Police say a number of agencies across Bedfordshire have seen a recent increase in larger gatherings such as barbecues and parties.
Two women in their 20s, a man in his 20s and an 18-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, assaulting an emergency worker and affray.
All four have been released under investigation while police enquiries continue.
“If you know who did this please get in touch with us, or speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, who will accept information about this or any other incident with complete anonymity and in full confidence,” added DI Hamm
Anyone with any information can visit bedfordshire.police.uk/report or call 101, quoting reference 526 of 13 June.
