A POLICE officer was kicked unconscious while trying to stop a fight on Poole Quay at the weekend.

He was one of five officers who were ‘victims of assaults’ in three separate ‘altercations’ on Sunday, described by the Dorset Police Federation as “disgraceful” and “disgusting”.

The fight took place near the Jolly Sailor pub in the early hours of the morning. Police were called at 2.13am, and while dealing with the incident, which moved to Old Orchard, an officer received a blow to the head which knocked him out.

He had to be taken to hospital for treatment to his injury, a cut to the temple which required glue stitches. However his injuries were not life-threatening.

Three women and two men have been arrested and released on police bail.

A 23-year-old woman from Poole was arrested on suspicion of resisting and obstructing an accredited person, two counts of obstructing and resisting a constable in the execution of their duty and assault.

A 25-year-old woman from Poole was arrested on suspicion of assault.

A 52-year-old man from Poole was arrested on suspicion of obstructing and resisting a constable in the execution of their duty and assault.

A 31-year-old woman from Poole was arrested on suspicion of obstructing and resisting a person assisting a constable in the execution of their duty.

A 39-year-old man from Poole was arrested on suspicion of resisting and obstructing an accredited person.

In the second incident that day, male and female officers were called at 6.04am to reports of a fight in Bramshaw Gardens, near Castlepoint, Bournemouth. There, one was allegedly punched in the face, and the other allegedly pushed against a kitchen worktop. They sustained minor injuries.

Emma Jean O’Grady, 22, of Bournemouth, has been charged with two counts of assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty and is due to appear before Poole Magistrates’ Court on April 13.

Finally, at 10.55pm, two male police were called to a property in Hengist Road, Boscombe, where a “disturbance” was reported. There it is alleged they were spat upon.

Shicara Rochelle George, 28, of Bournemouth, has been charged with three counts of assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty and is due to appear before Poole Magistrates’ Court on April 14.

Sergeant Steven Federico, Joint Branch Board deputy secretary at the federation, said: “This was a shocking incident, it appears, of an officer being kicked to the head, rendering him unconscious.

“It is totally disgusting, disgraceful, and we would encourage everyone to get involved with our campaign to ProtectTheProtectors.”

Sgt Federico said he wasn’t aware of any increase in violence towards officers, however he believed reporting had improved.

“Officers are the worst for accepting this sort of thing as part of the job, and we are trying to get the message across that it is not,” he said.

Earlier this month the federation called for people to back the ProtectTheProtectors campaign, calling for tougher sentences for those convicted of attacking emergency crews.

It is also calling for police to use ‘spit guards’ on detainees. Since January 1 there have been at least nine incidents of officers being spat upon.

Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill has called for more research to be carried out before a roll out of spit guards, a kind of mesh hood which has sparked controversy nationally.

“Having been a police officer, I understand first-hand how horrific it is to be spat at or bitten,” he said. “I have experienced both personally.

“The principle that police officers and staff should not be spat at is beyond dispute. This is understandably an emotive topic, but it is important not to lose sight of the key issues.

“In addition to the welfare of police officers and staff, we must also consider the welfare of the person doing the spitting.

“Many people who spit or bite are in mental crisis, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, or sometimes all three. By their actions, they are clearly experiencing high levels of anxiety at the time of arrest. This makes them vulnerable.

“At present there is a lack of policy, governance and public consultation in relation to the use of spit guards. I have written to the Home Secretary to formally raise these concerns.”