Police Officer In Hove Left Unconscious After Bottle Thrown In Her Face

A police officer was knocked unconscious on Saturday evening when a bottle was thrown in her face on Hove Lawns.

Police said it happened after they responded to reports of antisocial behaviour involving a large group of people on Hove Lawns and Brunswick Square last night (June 5).

A glass bottle was thrown towards police, hitting a female officer.

She was taken to hospital for treatment, and is today (Sunday) continuing her recovery at home.

Footage from the officer’s body camera (frame shown above) captures the moment before the glass bottle hit the victim.

Four people including a teenage girl were arrested:

• A 16-year-old girl from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
• A 53-year-old man from Hove was arrested on suspicion of affray.
• A 26-year-old man from Hove was arrested on suspicion of assault of an emergency worker.
• A 15-year-old boy from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police, affray, and failing to comply with a Section 35 order excluding a person from an area.

All four suspects remained in custody at mid-day on Sunday.

Detective Sergeant Chris Lane, of Brighton and Hove Criminal Investigations Department, said:

“A member of the crowd threw a glass bottle at officers, which hit one directly in the face and knocked her unconscious.

"As she fell to the floor, her head also hit the police car, leaving her unconscious and injured in what was clearly a very dangerous situation.

“Thankfully her injuries are not believed to be serious and she is now resting at home after being discharged from hospital.

“The officer’s body camera footage shows that the bottle was thrown from a considerable distance away, and it could have seriously injured any one of a number of police officers or the person they were arresting.

“To indiscriminately throw a bottle into a group of police officers is deplorable and could have caused serious injury.

"The individual that threw the bottle has not been apprehended and we are appealing for the help of the public.”

One member of the public was also taken to hospital following the incident in which police arrested four people.

Det Sgt Lane added:

“We are aware of a number of videos circulating on social media, including one which appears to show an officer detaining a young woman who had reportedly just damaged a police car.

"This sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“Our officers attempted to engage with the group in response to concerns of disruption and disorder, but a small number of individuals became obstructive and refused to co-operate.

"At this point, we had to respond to prevent the situation from getting out of hand and ultimately, to keep everyone safe.

“There were a large number of people present who were filming on mobile phones and we would ask that they provide this footage to police to assist with the investigation.

"Even if the footage does not show the individual in the act of throwing the bottle, it may still assist the investigation.

“The investigation into this matter will be unwavering and we will scrutinise every second of footage from the many officers and public present to identify the individual concerned, and to identify any further offences committed.

“If you are that person we would urge you to step up now, contact police and take responsibility for your actions.”

You can report it online or call 101, quoting serial 1410 of 05/06.