''We are not society's punchbags": Teenage yobs who took part in 'utterly deplorable' disorder attacked police officers

A youth throwing a glass bottle towards officers
-Credit: (Image: Greater Manchester Police)


Two teenage yobs who took part in 'utterly deplorable' scenes of disorder in Bolton spat on officers and hurled bottles at them.

Cops were called to the town centre on August 4 and were met with 'hostile crowds' as they attempted to prevent the developing unrest.

In one incident, a group of around 15 to 20 youths surrounded a police sergeant, with one 14-year-old male spitting directly in his face before running away, Manchester Magistrates' Court heard.

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Following CCTV enquiries, the teenager, who can’t be named for legal reasons, was identified and brought before the courts where he subsequently pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.

He was referred to a youth offender panel for a total of nine months with a parent or guardian required to attend the meeting. A local authority representative may also attend the meetings. The teenager must also pay compensation of £100.

In the same incident, a 15-year-old male stole an officer’s hat and was seen running away from the scene before he was later spotted throwing a bottle at another group of officers.

Police at the scene of the disorder in Bolton on August 4
Police at the scene of the disorder in Bolton on August 4 -Credit:Manchester Evening News

In court, he was ordered to pay costs of £85 in addition to a surcharge of £26. He was told he must additionally follow a curfew between 9.30pm and 5am daily, and must present himself to an officers who asks to see them between those times, for a period of three months, Greater Manchester Police said.

Both teenagers, sentenced on October 1 and 2, have been referred to a youth offenders panel for 12 months and must pay further compensation of £500.

Detective Inspector Paul Costello, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “The violence we saw against officers during the unrest over the summer was utterly deplorable. These men and women left their families each day to protect the communities which they serve day-in, day-out, and to see them spat on, attacked, and assaulted during their tour of duties was sickening.

“These two teenagers were part of a wider group which degraded and attacked an officer carrying out his job. These sort of incidents are disgusting to see and we continue to investigate all instances of violence from the summer disorder in Bolton and indeed across Greater Manchester. This has seen us secure more than one hundred arrests and charges, with lots of work still to come.

“As we continue with our work, I would urge anyone with any information about any of the incident across Greater Manchester to please get in touch.”

Mike Peake, Chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: “1,861 officers in GMP were assaulted last year. That’s an average of more than 35 every week. More than 5 every single day. Police officers are not robots. We are mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters. Husbands, wives and partners. We should not come under attack for doing our difficult job.

“We are not society’s punch bags - and those assaulting police officers should face severe consequences every day of the year.”

Greater Manchester Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and information relating to various outbreaks of violent disorder in Bolton, Rochdale, Newton Heath and Piccadilly Gardens.

Information can be submitted to Major Incident portals below: