Canterbury Police responded to reports of groups of people fighting in Ashburton on East Street in the CBD late Saturday and early Sunday morning (31 January 2015 - 1 February 2015).
Officer in charge of Ashburton Police Station, Senior Sergeant Scott Banfield, said "While officers attempted to stop someone, assaulting another person, a Police Constable has been hit and that person has then fled the scene. The Constable's colleagues pursued the offender on foot but were unable to locate him"
Police investigations into this incident are ongoing.
The Police Constable was taken to hospital on Sunday (1 February 2015) and received stitches to his face. He will remain off duty for a few days while he recovers. A number of the members of the public caught up in this incident also required treatment for minor injuries.
"Alcohol appeared to be a factor in the disorder in Ashburton CBD on Saturday night. A Canterbury Police Dog and Handler attended the incident to help disperse the large crowd and a number of disorder related arrests were made" explained Senior Sergeant Banfield.
Anyone with any information related to the incident is asked to contact Ashburton Police Station on 03 307 8400
Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404