Girls aged 15 arrested after police attacked and passer-by spat at

TWO teenage girls were arrested after police officers were attacked and a member of the public was spat at during a disturbance in the centre of Brockenhurst.

The incident took place between 6pm and 7pm last Friday when a patrol along the A337 Lymington Road identified a girl who had been reported missing among a group of nearby teenagers.

Having stopped the youngster in a bid to return her home, the two officers were assaulted, with one kicked in the shin. A male passer-by was also spat at as he tried to help the police.

One 15-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker by beating and common assault, and another of the same age was held on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker by beating and criminal damage.

Both youngsters, who are from the New Forest area, were later released under investigation.

Local police said the girls had been repeatedly abusive in the village that evening, and the spitting had continued when they were in the patrol van.

They were released under investigation to allow for a referral to a county council youth offending team.