A police officer apprehending a suspected drug-dealer has been pushed off his bike and assaulted by a gang in Salford – detectives investigating the incident have released a CCTV image of one of the suspects.
The incident took place at around 2pm on Thursday April 9 in the Higher Broughton area of Salford.
A plain-clothed officer patrolling the area on his push bike cornered a man he suspected of drug-dealing in a rear garden, but when he brought the suspect into a nearby alleyway, he was then attacked by a group of five men.
The group pushed the officer up against the wall and rammed him with their bikes, allowing the suspect to get away before the officer could carry out a search for drugs.
The officer managed to break free and run out into the street, where he saw a number of other teenagers who had congregated, shouting “Get his bike, get his baton!”
A man described as white, of medium build, in his teens wearing a two-tone jacket with the hood up and shorts, picked up the police officers bike – a Black Giant XTC – and rode off prior to the arrival of further patrols who caused the group to disperse.
Detective Sergeant Claire Rawcliffe from Salford Division, said: “This officer was attacked by a group of men while he was doing his job. They saw that he had detained their friend and were doing everything they could so he could get away.
“These men had no respect for the police, when he told them he was a police officer this only antagonised them and they continued to attack him and stole his bike.
“Luckily the officer was not seriously injured, but this incident once again highlights the dangers police officers face on a daily basis while they are protecting the communities of Greater Manchester.”
There were two men in the group who were the main aggressors, and police have released a CCTV image of the first man.
He is described as mixed race, in his late teens to early twenties, medium build, 5ft 8in tall with short dark hair and is believed to have a small white dog.
The second is described as white, 5ft 10in tall, medium build, in his early 20s with short dark hair and a clear complexion.
Naseer Ahmed, 20, of Cardinal Street, Cheetham Hill, who was initially stopped on suspicion of drug-dealing, has been charged with obstructing a police officer and has been remanded for trial on 18 May 2015.
“I want to hear from anyone who has any information about the incident to come forward and speak to me,” Detective Rawcliffe added.
“I know the CCTV image of one of the suspects is not of great quality, but if you recognise this man or any of the other suspects from their descriptions, please call the police before this happens again.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5235 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
