Alleged ‘racial abuse’ of police officer during raid
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of burglary following an early morning raid at a city centre newsagents, leading to a police officer being ‘racially abused’.
A 40-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man were both arrested on suspicion of burglary after police were called to Jordan’s Metro News in Park Lane in Sunderland city centre shortly before 3am yesterday.
It is reported that two offenders had broken into the store and stole a variety of goods including suspected stolen chocolate bars, Red Bull and vape liquid before making off on foot in the direction of Benedict Court.
Officers were deployed to the scene within a matter of minutes and found a claw hammer, which had been discarded at the shop.
Police worked with Sunderland City Council’s CCTV camera operators which spotted a man and a woman fleeing the area, prompting a foot-chase with officers.
Police have also revealed that the man in question is alleged to have racially abused one of the arresting officers before spitting in the direction of another – both suspects remain in police custody at this time.
Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing, of Northumbria Police, has condemned the abuse that was hurled towards the officers during the arrests.
She said: “This was a brazen crime as offenders forced their way into a popular
newsagent and ransacked the shop, making off with hundreds of pounds worth of goods.
“After being notified of the burglary, our officers were on the scene within minutes and were able to identify two suspects after some excellent teamwork with the council’s camera operators.
“Thankfully, we were able to retrieve some of the suspected stolen items that were found discarded near to where the two suspects were
detained. However, the actions of one of those arrested were completely unacceptable, with the man said to have hurled racist insults at one of our Pcs and spat at another.
“Officers come into work expecting to be faced with tricky or volatile situations, but it’s always disappointing when they are faced with such hate and hostility. I would like to thank all those involved for their professionalism and dedication while apprehending these suspects.”