Sussex Police Slam Violence After 16 Officers Attacked on Christmas Day
Sussex Police have slammed a shocking surge in attacks on their officers over Christmas Day. A total of 16 officers were assaulted while on duty, prompting a hard-hitting message from the force.
Christmas Duty Turned Violent
Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Rayland revealed the disturbing scale of attacks. “Over the past 24 hours, we’ve seen at least 16 police officers assaulted while on duty across Sussex. This is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated,” he said.
“These officers gave up spending Christmas with their families to protect the public and catch criminals, only to face violence from a small minority,” Rayland added.
Violent Offences Include Kicks, Punches and Bites
Incidents included spitting, kicking, punching and even biting. One officer suffered a dislocated shoulder in the line of duty.
Out of the 16 assaults recorded, 12 were in West Sussex and four took place in Brighton and Hove.
No Excuse for Attacking Police
“We have dedicated officers committed to keeping our communities safe. They did not sign up to be assaulted, insulted or abused,” Rayland said.
“While most people support our officers, a small minority ignore the law. There’s no excuse for attacking police and anyone caught will face tough action,” he warned.
As tensions run high this festive season, Sussex Police make it clear: assaulting officers will be dealt with firmly — no exceptions.
