Police officer released from hospital after assault

A Te Awamutu police officer has been released from hospital after being hit with a full bottle of alcohol last night.

The policeman was taken to hospital after he tried to apprehend three young men suspected of stealing alcohol from a liquor outlet.

A spokeswoman for Te Awamutu police said the officer had been released from hospital this morning but was likely to require surgery for his injuries.

Detective Sergeant Ross Patterson said police were looking for the offender who ran from the scene immediately after the assault.

He said two other men were helping police with their inquiries.

- NZPA