TWO men have been charged following an alleged assault which left a number of police officers and members of the public injured.

The incident took place at 3.15am on Monday morning. Police were called to the Castle Stairs area of Newcastle's Quayside following reports that two men were punching and kicking members of the public.

Officers arrested two men, who are also alleged to have assaulted two police officers and knocked a female officer unconscious.  Later that morning three detention officers and a custody nurse at Forth Banks Police Station were also assaulted.

Kevin Bourn, 36, of Cransville, Gateshead, was charged with assault of a constable in execution of their duty, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault and one racially aggravated public order offence . He appeared before Bedlington Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.

Lee James Gibson, 25, of no fixed abode, has been charged with affray, common assault on a member of public, assault on a constable in the execution of their duty, possession of an offensive weapon, assault by beating and two counts of assault on a member of police staff in the execution of their duty. He will appear before the same court today.

Police are continuing to appeal for four Asian men to come forward after they assisted officers during the arrest of the two men on Monday morning.

Officers believe they may have traced one of the individuals but they are continuing to ask for people to share the appeal to help trace the good Samaritans.

Police believe several people may have seen this incident and would appeal for witnesses to come forward.  Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference number 110 of 14/08/17 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.