A MAN was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a female police officer was attacked with a hammer in a Poole street.

The officer was targeted as she investigated reports that a man was smashing windows and wrecking cars in a late night spree in Dale Close, Oakdale.
 

Police were initially told that a man had been banging on the door of an address in Dale Close just after 10pm on Wednesday night.

But neighbours have told the Daily Echo that a disturbance had started earlier in the day when a man was seen brandishing a large knife and shouting out of the upstairs window of a property.

Timothy Lynes told the Daily Echo: “A man threatened me with a huge knife and was shouting out of the window at people earlier in the day.

“I am just moving into sheltered accommodation and I don’t need this sort of thing. It was frightening and I was trying to ignore him.”

Dale Close is a mixture of sheltered accommodation for the elderly, accommodation for people with mixed needs and private homes.

Several cars were damaged, including a white Fiat Panda which had its windscreen, back window and side windows smashed.

A Jaguar Sovereign had been dented and appeared to have been stamped on.

Residents said rear windows of several properties had been smashed.

Jaguar owner David Whitaker said: “I heard someone shouting and then the police cars arrived. There are always problems around here.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police said a female police officer sustained minor injuries.

A 35-year-old Poole man was arrested on suspicion of assault, affray, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and attempted murder. He has since been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Police said neighbourhood police officers will be offering reassurance in the area. They have appealed for witnesses to call them on 101 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.