Woman police officer suffers broken jaw and eye socket in Suffolk attack

Police have arrested three men after a woman officer suffered a fractured eye socket and broken jaw in an attack.

She was one of two officers assaulted in Stowmarket as they tried to break up a fight between two young men.

The police were called to the fight in Newton Road at about 8.30pm last night (Wednesday 3 June).

The second male officer had a cut to his face. Both needed hospital treatment but have since been released.

One suspect ran away, while a second, aged 16, was arrested on suspicion of assault.

Overnight at about 3am, following further police inquiries a male, aged 18, was arrested in Stowmarket on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and he was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

A 21-year-old was also arrested in the town on suspicion of public affray and remains in custody at Bury St Edmunds.

Police say the fight followed an earlier incident where two young women, both aged 17, were threatened by a man who produced a machete and struck one of them on the leg with it.

Chief Superintendent Marina Ericson said extra police patrols were being carried out to reassure people in the area.