Police Officer Assaulted in Shalford Pub Disturbance

Published on: 26 Nov, 2012
Updated on: 27 Nov, 2012

The Seahorse Inn, Shalford © Copyright P L Chadwick and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence

A police officer was taken to hospital with facial injuries after being assaulted following an incident in Shalford yesterday afternoon (November 25).

Police were called to the Seahorse Inn in Shalford just after 4pm following reports of a disturbance involving a large group of around 30 diners. An allegation was also made that one of the group assaulted a member of staff.

A response officer was first on the scene and identified two of the suspects from the group. Whilst attempting to arrest one of the suspects, the officer was viciously assaulted.

The officer’s injuries required treatment at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford. He is now recovering at home.

One of the suspects is described as a white male, aged 35-40 years, 6ft tall and of a large build with short, brown hair. He was clean shaven and wearing a long-sleeved blue and white checked shirt, blue jeans and dark shoes.

Detective Constable Jim Hilton, who is investigating the incident, said: “Police were called after receiving reports of a large group of people who were causing a disturbance in the pub. One of them is also understood to have assaulted a member of staff.”

“In attempting to arrest one of the suspects, one of our officers has been seriously assaulted. Thankfully he is making a good recovery but to have been attacked in this way while he was just trying to do his job is abhorrent and cannot be tolerated.”

“An investigation is under way and we are already making good progress. We are determined to identify the suspects and ensure that they are brought to justice.”

A spokesperson for Mitchells & Butlers, the company who owns the pub, said, “Our staff were obviously shaken by the incident, fortunately no one was seriously hurt. We are offering the team support and the police are investigating the matter.”

An eye witness who drove past the Seahorse shortly after the incident said that there were a number of police cars at the pub and blue and white tape was marking off an area where, presumably, the disturbance had taken place.

If you witnessed the incident or have any information which could assist police in their investigation, please contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting crime reference GD/12/10593, or, you prefer to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.