CCTV images will help find man who attacked police officer

Detectives hope new CCTV images will help them find a man who attacked a police officer at Chester railway station. An initial appeal to find the suspect failed, but British Transport Police hope the release of a new image will encourage further witnesses to step forward.

The incident took place at about 4.40pm on Thursday, November 11, last year following a demonstration by the English Defence League in Chester. After the demonstration a large number of EDL members arrived at the city’s station to catch trains. BTP officers attended and sought to control a swelling crowd, but as the number of people grew officers became involved in an altercation with several protesters. During the fight PC Graham Funnell was assaulted twice and was kicked to the groin by one of the demonstrators.

DC Jaime Brannagan said: “PC Funnell was carrying out a civic duty to maintain order and protect members of the public when he was assaulted by the EDL member. BTP simply will not tolerate violence or aggression on the railway and will do everything in its power to bring those who behave inappropriately to justice.”

He added: “We were unsuccessful with our initial appeal to trace the man responsible, but I now hope, with the release of a CCTV image of a man we would like to speak to in connection with the incident, we will be able to jog someone’s memory and bring the offender to justice. It’s possible the offender is from Shropshire as several others in the group bought tickets to Shrewsbury, but it is also possible he is local to Cheshire or Merseyside.”

If you recognise the man from the CCTV, or have any information in relation to the incident, please contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. In all calls please quote reference 389 of 11/11/10.

Chester First

Thanks to Zaahid for the heads-up