A MAN has been arrested after allegedly kicking and assaulting an on-duty police officer, who had been responding to reports of a theft from a building site. 

At around 11pm on Wednesday (November 6), police said they received a report that intruders stealing timber from a building site on Union Street in Middlesbrough. 

An officer from Cleveland Police's Dog Support Unit attended the scene of the alleged incident before spotting a suspect on nearby Alwent Street carrying several pieces of timber.

Police investigating said as the officer approached the man in an attempt to detain him, the suspect became aggressive, kicking the officer, trying to later make off from the scene.

A member of public then stopped at the scene to assist the officer in detaining the suspect, who was later arrested on suspicion of theft and assault on an emergency worker.

Superintendent Dave Sutherland of the force said: “We will not tolerate any assaults on our police officers and staff, or other emergency service personnel.

"People do not go to work to be assaulted and no one should be subjected to that.

"Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to do so will face the full force of the law.”

  • The man has since been released under investigation.