THIS shocking image shows the bodycam of an officer moments before she was struck in the face by a glass bottle, knocking her unconscious. 

Police were called to reports of antisocial behaviour involving a large group of people on Hove Lawns and Brunswick Square last night. 

The officer and another member of the public were taken to hospital for treatment.

Amid the fracas, Captor spray was used on the teenagers after a "very large crowd surrounded officers trying to detain a suspect".

READ MORE: Arrest after officer assaulted while breaking up large gathering on Hove Lawns

The force said the group were told "countless times" to move back, but refused to do so, thereby putting officers and the detainee at risk.

Detective Sergeant Chris Lane, of Brighton and Hove Criminal Investigations Department, said: “A member of the crowd threw a glass bottle at officers, which hit one directly in the face and knocked her unconscious. As she fell to the floor, her head also hit the police car, and she was unconscious and injured in what was clearly a very dangerous situation.

The Argus:

“Thankfully her injuries are not believed to be serious and she is now resting at home after being discharged from hospital.

“The officer’s body camera footage shows that the bottle was thrown from a considerable distance away, and it could have seriously injured any one of a number of police officers or the person they were arresting.

“To indiscriminately throw a bottle into a group of police officers is deplorable and could have caused serious injury. The individual that threw the bottle has not been apprehended and we are appealing for the help of the public.”

Four arrests were made last night before the force announced a Section 34 dispersal order was in place at Hove Lawns.

This means that anyone who is told to leave the area by police must do so.

Footage shared widely online showed an officer running after and tackling a girl to the floor.

The Argus:

Det Sgt Lane added: “We are aware of a number of videos circulating on social media, including one which appears to show an officer detaining a young woman who had reportedly just damaged a police car. This sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“Our officers attempted to engage with the group in response to concerns of disruption and disorder, but a small number of individuals became obstructive and refused to co-operate. At this point, we had to respond to prevent the situation from getting out of hand and ultimately, to keep everyone safe.

“There were a large number of people present who were filming on mobile phones and we would ask that they provide this footage to police to assist with the investigation. Even if the footage does not show the individual in the act of throwing the bottle, it may still assist the investigation.

“The investigation into this matter will be unwavering and we will scrutinise every second of footage from the many officers and public present to identify the individual concerned, and to identify any further offences committed.

“If you are that person we would urge you to step up now, contact police and take responsibility for your actions.”

The Argus:

Four arrests were made:

  • A 16-year-old girl from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
  • A 53-year-old man from Hove was arrested on suspicion of affray.
  • A 26-year-old man from Hove was arrested on suspicion of assault of an emergency worker.
  • A 15-year-old boy from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police, affray, and failing to comply with a Section 35 order excluding a person from an area.

All four suspects remain in custody at this time.

If you have information, you can report it online or call 101, quoting serial 1410 of 05/06.