Five police injured after major fight breaks out on housing estate

23 September 2023 , 13:18

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One police officer was knocked to the floor with bystanders trying to pull his assailant off him (Image: Twitter)

A brawl on a council estate has left five police officers injured after members of a crowd attacked cops responding to a public disorder call.

Two officers were knocked to the ground by the mob as they tried to grapple with a young man, with onlookers piling into the fray, while a child was seen wandering into the fight before being snatched away. North Wales Police said five people were arrested following the incident in Rhosllanerchrugog, just outside of Wrexham, on Thursday. Reports of public disorder in the Wern Las area saw officers called to intervene shortly before 5pm on Thursday.

One woman was seen in a dressing gown amid the battle, while another woman collapsed to the floor after she was hit in the head by what appeared to be a bicycle wheel thrown by someone. The chaos included children crying and screaming as police wielded batons and pepper spray to keep members of the crowd back.

One child was reportedly caught by the spray but cops said they “did not sustain any serious injuries”, meanwhile three police officers were assaulted and injured in the fight, while two more sustained injuries. Police arrested three men, two aged 25 and one aged 27, and two women aged 23 and 31. Their investigations are continuing.

A woaman was left collapsed on the ground after being hit with a bicycle tyre (Twitter)

North Wales Police said in a statement: “Five people have been arrested following an incident in Rhosllanerchrugog yesterday (Thursday, September 21st). Shortly before 5pm, officers were called to reports of public disorder in the Wern Las area. A woman was taken to hospital with injuries and a 25-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assault, affray and threats to damage property.

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“As a result of the incident, three officers were assaulted and injured, while a further two sustained injuries. Two men, aged 25 and 27, and two women aged 23 and 31 have also been arrested on suspicion of offences in relation to the incident, including affray, threats to kill and to damage property and assaulting emergency workers. A young child within proximity of the disorder was caught by Captor spray, but did not sustain any injuries.

“We are aware the incident was filmed and has since been shared on social media. We are asking anyone with footage not to share any videos further as this is now an ongoing investigation, but to get in touch and share it with officers to help with enquiries. Further investigations are underway, and patrols will be increased in the area to offer reassurance to the local community.”

Joe Smith