A POLICE officer has suffered a mild concussion and bruising after she was knocked unconscious with a glass bottle.

Around 200 people gathered at Hove Lawns and Brunswick Square on Saturday as officers responded to reports of antisocial behaviour.

As police attempted to disperse the group, one officer, who was hit in the face with a glass bottle, fell and hit her head on a police car - knocking her out.

She has been left with mild concussion and bruising.

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

Three people have since been released under investigation, but Jacob Ross, 26, of Church Road, Hove, has been charged with two counts of assault of an emergency worker, possession of a knife in public and possession of cannabis.

He has been released on unconditional bail to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court in July.

Chief Inspector Nick Dias said: "We are actively seeking to identify the person responsible for this deplorable crime, which could have caused serious injury.

"Our aim is to engage with people where there are concerns, especially where there are young people vulnerable to alcohol and disorder. But where people are disorderly and violent we will be robust in our approach.

"We will be out on high visibility patrols and where we find young people with alcohol we will intervene in the interest of their welfare.

"We want people to act responsibly and to keep safe."

The three others released under investigation:

  • A 16-year-old girl from Brighton, arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, has been released under investigation pending referral to the Youth Offending Team.
  • A 53-year-old man from Hove, arrested on suspicion of affray, has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
  • A 15-year-old boy from Brighton, arrested on suspicion of obstructing police, failing to comply with a Section 35 order excluding a person from an area, and using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, has been released under investigation pending referral to the Youth Offending Team.