Policeman badly injured in ammonia spray attack

A POLICEMAN has been seriously injured after he and six other officers were sprayed with ammonia yesterday.

The sergeant is being treated for damage to his eyes, throat and respiratory system after the attack at a home in Darwen, Lancashire, which the officers had attended following reports of a domestic incident.

Six other officers were taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital after being doused with the cleaning fluid, but have since been discharged.

A 46-year-old man, who tried to escape through a first floor window following the attack at 2am on Tuesday, has been arrested and held on suspicion of wounding.

One neighbour said: ‘The officer was stood on the doorstep and was... squirted directly in the mouth, face and eyes and was in a pretty bad way.’

Superintendent Andrea Barrow, of Lancashire Police, said: ‘This shocking incident from the early hours of the morning has left an officer with some significant and serious injuries.

‘I wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to his return to work.’

Police inquiries are ongoing.