Dorset Police news site

Officers are appealing for information after reported assaults on a member of the public and ambulance service staff member in Bridport.

It was reported that at around 12.45pm on Thursday 1 August 2024 an altercation occurred involving two men near to the Morrisons supermarket off West Bay Road.

A man aged in his 60s was reportedly assaulted and sustained cuts to his face. He was treated at the scene by the ambulance service but did not require hospital treatment.

A short time later the ambulance service responded to a report raising concern for the welfare of a man in the area of South Street.

As an ambulance service staff member went to check on the man’s welfare, they were reportedly punched to the chest area before officers attended and the man was detained.

A 34-year-old man from Weymouth was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker. He has been released on police bail as further enquiries are carried out.

Police Constable Chloe Norman, of Dorset Police, said: “We take reports of violent behaviour toward our emergency services colleagues, as well as members of the public, extremely seriously.

“We are continuing to investigate these reported assaults and I would urge any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please come forward.

“I would also urge any motorists with dashcam who were in the area of Morrisons and South Street around the time of the incidents, as well as residents in the vicinity with home CCTV, to please check their footage to see if they have captured anything that might assist our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240117594. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.