Vandals beat, spray-paint policeman
Associated Press
March 13, 2002 12:30:00
[url]http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0313PaintedPolice13-ON.html[/url]
LONDON - Teen-age vandals who were spray-painting cars in the streets of London attacked a police officer when he tried to intervene on Wednesday, beating and spraying him with paint, authorities said.
The policeman was treated for deep cuts to his head and face, and officers who were summoned to the scene arrested the three teen-agers.
The attack occurred at about 5:30 a.m. when the officer was patrolling in a marked car in the neighborhood of Wallington on the southern fringes of London and saw a group of youths spray-painting cars, police said.
The officer told colleagues he was attacked as he got out to try to arrest the vandals, and that they repeatedly hit him on the head with an aerosol can and sprayed him in the face.
While the attack was under way, he managed to radio for assistance, and police reached him quickly and arrested the three youths - two 17-year-olds and a 14-year-old on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and criminal damage, Scotland Yard said.
The officer, whose name was withheld, was treated at St. Helier hospital for what Scotland Yard spokesman called serious injuries.
London is coping with a dramatic increase in muggings and gun-related crimes.