POLICE officers were bitten, headbutted and spat at in the town centre over the weekend.
A female officer was bitten on the ear and spat at while arresting a woman accused of assaulting a taxi driver just after 2am on Sunday (September 16).
Around 40 minutes later, a man headbutted a male officer in a pub in Church Street as he was being arrested. The officer suffered minor injuries to his face.
Both officers are recovering and have not needed time off work.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said any assault on a police officer was ‘unacceptable’.
He said: “The messages of support for officers I see on social media show the true nature of public opinion towards our hard-working police, and that is something I want to echo.
“Assault on a police officer should not be regarded as something that is ‘just part of the job’.
“It speaks volumes about the dedication of our officers that they will put any injury they suffer to one side and continue working.”
He added a new law was coming into force in November which would increase jail terms for offenders who attack emergency services workers.
“It’s only right that we do all we can to protect the protectors. With more stringent sentences available, I hope this begins to act as a deterrent to offenders.”
Rugbeians on social media showed their support for the officers.
One said: “No public service worker on the front line should face this type of abuse whilst doing their job.”
Another said: “The public only hear about the horrendous incidents the guys and gals of our emergency services have to deal with and witness first hand. I couldn’t do it, but thank goodness there are people who can.”
Two people have been charged in relation to the incidents.
Kelly Evans, 27, of Lever Road, was charged with assaulting a police officer, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, criminal damage, assault, being drunk and disorderly and obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty. She appeared at Warwickshire Magistrates’ Court on Monday (September 17) and was bailed to appear at the same court on November 12.
Daniel Porter, 37, of no fixed abode but living in Nuneaton, was charged with assaulting a police officer. He was bailed to appear at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on October 17.
