Two police officers injured by man in St Paul's Bay

Two officers injured in St Paul's Bay, acting commissioner says all forms of violence against police officers will not be tolerated

A number of officers were injured in three seperate incidents over the weekend
A number of officers were injured in three seperate incidents over the weekend

A Police Inspector and Sergeant sustained slight injuries while arresting a man yesterday evening at around 9:30pm in Triq il-Korp tal-Pijunieri, Saint Paul's Bay.

Preliminary investigations found that the man, 33, who lives in Saint Paul's Bay, first insulted the Inspector, who was directing traffic during the Summer Carnival Celebrations.

Acting police commissioner Ray Zammit said "any form of violence against members of the force will not be tolerated and all available legal means will be used to safeguard their health and safety."

Upon hearing this, the officer stopped the man and asked for his particulars but the name and identity card number provided by the man aroused his suspicions and the man was informed that he was being detained until the details were verified. The details eventually turned out to be false.

However, the man disobeyed the order and attempted to flee the scene. Seeing this, the Inspector tried restraining him while a Constable in the vicinity who spotted the commotion called for backup. It was only then that the man was successfully arrested. A Police car and a Sergeant's uniform where damaged by the man during his arrest.

This was the third time Police Officers were injured in the line of duty in as many days. On 16 August, a Sergeant and Constable were slightly injured when they were allegedly attacked by a man, 26, who lives in Nadur, outside an entertainment establishment in Triq Ghajn Qasab, Nadur.

Meanwhile, a Sergeant also sustained slight injuries in an argument in Triq San Gorġ, Saint Julians, on 17 August 17.

Acting Commissioner Raymond G. Zammit wished these Police Officers a speedy recovery and strongly condemned these incidents. He emphasised that any form of violence against Members of the Force will not be tolerated and that all available legal means will be used to safeguard their health and safety.