Police officer suffers severe facial injuries while detaining suspect in Bristol
The officer was injured as he tried to detain a suspect who had tried to escape via a footpath.
Wednesday 21 August 2019 13:31, UK
A police officer has suffered "severe facial injuries" while trying to detain a suspect in the Staple Hill area of Bristol.
Avon and Somerset Police say the officer is in a stable condition in hospital, but will need to undergo surgery.
The incident happened as officers gave chase to three people who ran from a vehicle that had been noted as suspicious on Kensington Road earlier that day.
All three ran in different directions, with one running along a footpath on Acacia Road, a statement from police said.
One officer chased the suspect down the footpath, but injured his face as he tried to detain him.
A police spokeswoman said the officer was "in the line of duty" while detaining the suspect.
It is not yet clear whether the officer was attacked, or injured in a fall during the operation. He has not yet been able to give an account of what happened because of his medical treatment.
Two people have since been arrested, including a 20-year-old man on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A drug, and a 37-year-old man on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.
Suspected class A drugs and other items including cash and mobile phones have been seized. The car is currently being examined by a forensic team.
A cordon remains in place.