Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Female police officer seriously assaulted in ‘despicable’ attack

The 30-year-old was attacked as she was investigating a reported burglary in Stevenston, Ayrshire.

Sarah Ward
Wednesday 18 October 2023 18:04 BST
The police officer was attacked as she investigated a burglary (PA)
The police officer was attacked as she investigated a burglary (PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A police officer is recovering in hospital after she was seriously assaulted during a break-in.

The 30-year-old woman was investigating a report of a burglary in Stevenston, Ayrshire, when she was attacked.

Two other police officers were with her when the attack happened at 2am.

The victim is being treated in a hospital in Glasgow, and her condition was described as stable.

Police Scotland condemned the attack and said it was “despicable”.

This was a despicable attack on an on-duty officer and our inquiries are ongoing to trace the person responsible

Chief Superintendent Raymond Higgins

Chief Superintendent Raymond Higgins, divisional commander for Ayrshire, said: “In the early hours of Wednesday October 18, three officers attended a report of a break-in at a property on Arthur Street, Stevenston.

“While carrying out inquiries a 30-year-old female officer was seriously assaulted and was taken to hospital in Glasgow for treatment, where she remains in a stable condition.

“This was a despicable attack on an on-duty officer and our inquiries are ongoing to trace the person responsible.

“Assault is not simply part of the job for police officers, it’s not acceptable and it will not be tolerated.

“This officer was carrying out her role, serving local communities and protecting the public, when the incident happened.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in