POLICE officers were jostled and manhandled and a woman constable had her hat knocked off in an altercation in Kidderminster on Tuesday evening (July 29).
The incident happened outside the Severn Valley Railway on Comberton Road and involved groups of fans following Kidderminster Harrier’s pre-season friendly against Halesowen Town.
A group of around 20 youths, aged between 15 and 20 years old, made their way towards the SVR pub, the King & Castle, at around 9.20pm.
Two police officers – one male and one female – came out of the pub with one youth behind them.
It was then that the group started shouting and made their way towards the youth.
The officers told the group to move away, but a scuffle then broke out.
The youth with the police was punched and kicked by one of the group, and both police officers were man-handled and threatened during the melee.
The youth went back into the pub and the two police officers blocked its entrance, while simultaneously defending themselves.
It was then that the woman police officer’s hat was knocked off during the scuffle but they managed to get the group to briefly back away.
However some of the group approached the officers again, swearing at them, with some pushing and shoving taking place.
A police car then arrived with one more officer and together they restored the peace.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “Officers responded to disruption between young people following a Kidderminster Harriers football match around 8.30pm on Tuesday, July 29.
“No injuries or assaults were reported to police.
“No officers were injured during the incident.”
