Gang of 70 youths battered Blunkett bobby 'like sharks in a feeding frenzy'

PCSO Tim Quiterio, 26, was saved from serious injury by his stab vest after being surrounded by the mob and pelted with bottles in a park at Plymstock, Plymouth.

He was left with cuts and bruises after being set on, pulled to the ground, kicked and punched by the boys and girls aged 15 to 20.

He says they kept coming back to attack him like sharks in a feeding frenzy until backup arrived from regular patrols.

Tim Quiterio was working with support officer Po Yung, when he was set upon

They needed to use gas spray to break up the group which consisted largely of 15-year-olds who had finished school just hours earlier and then started drinking in the park.

The PCSO, who was unarmed and working with woman support officer Po Yung, was set on after asking a large group of youths to stop drinking and disperse.

Most were aged around 15 and were drinking under age and acting anti-socially, shouting and swearing and frightening others trying to use the public open space in Radford Park, Plymstock.

Mr Quiterio said: 'I was right in the middle of the group trying to calm the situation when it erupted around me.

'I was completely surrounded and people kept joining in. It was like sharks in a feeding frenzy and it got out of control very quickly.

'I was pushed to the floor, kicked and had bottles thrown at me and subjected to continuous verbal abuse.

'We are not armed and all we have is our defence skills which enabled me to block and push people away. I was grateful when police officers arrived as I felt in danger for my own safety.'

His colleague, Po Yung said: 'It was frightening. We were trying to manage the situation as professionally as we could and trying to calm people down.

'Anything could have happened in those few minutes. We were lucky it did not get worse.'

Detective Sergeant Matt Lawrence said: 'The PCSO was doping his best to divide the young people when he was knocked to the ground.

'Luckily he was wearing his stab vest which took the brunt of the blows.

'There were aggravating factors which escalated the problem such as the numbers involved, the fact they had been drinking, and the darkness of the area.

'We now want to identify the people involved and show we are doing something about it to put the public's mind at ease.'

Nine people have been arrested and bailed and police say they hope to interview at least 17 more.