Puriri Place, Kaitaia - where a police officer was allegedly stabbed yesterday. PHOTO/PETER JACKSON
Puriri Place, Kaitaia - where a police officer was allegedly stabbed yesterday. PHOTO/PETER JACKSON
Police are investigating the stabbing of a police officer in Kaitaia.
About 9.30pm yesterday police were called to Puriri Place where three men were seen acting suspiciously around a vehicle that had been stolen.
Far North Area Commander Inspector Wendy Robilliard said two officers arrived at the scene and spokewith three men who had been seen putting petrol in the car. One of the officers went to arrest one of the men when the man allegedly struck the officer on the head. The officer then tried to restrain the offender and at the same time the other officer stepped into assist while trying to stop the other two from intervening.
The offender managed to break free from the injured officer, who then realised he had been stabbed, and the alleged stabber ran off with the other men. The injured officer was taken to Kaitaia Hospital and then transported to Whangarei Hospital for further treatment.
Ms Robilliard said a police dog handler was called to the scene, but was unable to locate the man who assaulted the police officer. Police also conducted area inquiries and found one of the alleged offenders, a 17-year-old man, at a Kaitaia address. He was arrested for breach of bail.
"Police are now focusing on locating the man who assaulted the police officer. A scene examination of the area where the incident took place has been completed and the stolen vehicle has been taken for forensic examination."
The injured officer will be discharged from hospital today and will be receiving support.
