Man arrested as dozens of police respond to 'assault' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Man arrested as dozens of police respond to 'assault'

8:00am Friday 5th October 2012 in News Exclusive By Steve Wright, Crime Reporter

A suspected thief was pinned to the ground by police after allegedly assaulting a woman community support officer in the street.

Dozens of officers swooped on Bradford city centre after the PCSO radioed for emergency help.

She was attacked in Market Street after removing the suspect from a bank. At least eight police vehicles descended on Market Street at the height of the incident yesterday lunchtime. The man was arrested and frogmarched to a police vehicle.

The drama happened at 1pm when the man was approached by staff who suspected him of stealing. He became aggressive and left the shop but was detained nearby by the PCSO.

A witness, at a medical examination centre on Hustlergate, described how three officers detained the suspect. She said: “We heard a lot of noise and looked outside and saw a huge crowd forming.

“I could see a woman PCSO on top of a chubby Asian chap. She was holding his legs down and two other male officers were sitting on his torso. He was struggling, but they got him to his feet and walked him away with his arms behind his back to a police van in Market Street.”

Another witness said: “There were suddenly police officers everywhere and loads of sirens. It sounded like the signal for the end of the world.”

A police spokesman said that a man had walked into Superdrug on Bank Street and was approached by staff, who suspected him of theft.

The man is said to have become aggressive and headed into a bank on Market Street, believed to be the NatWest, where he was apprehended by a PCSO and removed.

The spokesman said: “He was still acting aggressively as he was removed, and then assaulted the PCSO, who called for emergency assistance. The man was arrested on suspicion of theft and assaulting an officer and is currently in custody.”

The officer received minor injuries and it is understood no weapon was used.