The Metropolitan Police in London is asking the public for help in identifying nine people they would like to speak to after 14 officers were assaulted last weekend.
Fourteen officers received injuries from missiles and physical assaults, five of whom required medical treatment, said the statement.
Detective Chief Inspector Nat Norris, from the Met’s Public Order Command, said the level of violence was “some of the worst” he had seen in recent years.
“These officers were simply trying to do their job and it can never be acceptable for them to be attacked in this way,” he said. “I would urge anyone who recognises those pictured to contact us so we can speak to them about this incident.”
Three people were arrested at the scene and have been bailed pending further enquiries, the Met said.
The UK has been under varying levels of CCP virus restrictions since the pandemic began last spring.
According to data released by the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service in January, many of the CCP virus-related offences involved assaults on emergency workers.
Many of the assaults were committed against police officers, who were coughed at, spat on, kicked, bitten, or hit with heavy objects when trying to stop suspected breaches of COVID-19 restrictions.
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) said in January that the virus has been “weaponised” against police officers.
After Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in late February his plan for a gradual exit from the lockdown, police officers have become increasingly reluctant to enforce the residual rules.
