DETECTIVES are seeking witnesses and information about a serious attack on a neighbourhood police officer.

The incident happened while PC Simon Barnes was on foot patrol in Broadstairs town centre at about 9.30pm on Monday.

He spoke with a group of about seven young people near Morelli’s ice cream parlour on Victoria Parade about the amount of noise they were making.

Suddenly a man among the group punched PC Barnes on the left cheek, fracturing his jaw and causing swelling. The group ran off and was pursued by PC Barnes to York Street where he had to stop due to dizziness. Other police officers quickly arrived in the area but they were unable to find the group.

PC Barnes, who has been the neighbourhood officer for Broadstairs since November, was taken to hospital in Margate. He was later released.

The man police wish to question is described as white, aged 16 to 20, about 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in tall, with a toned physique, spotty complexion, a stud in his left ear and a chain around his neck.

He was wearing a tight-fitting, light coloured collared shirt, a blue or black jacket and dark trousers.

Ch Supt Peter West, area commander for East Kent, said: “This was a very brazen and nasty attack upon one of my officers who was going about his job as the Broadstairs neighbourhood officer.

“No one deserves to be assaulted, especially those that are helping the community. Fortunately such attacks on police officers are extremely rare in Kent.

“I strongly encourage the Broadstairs community to stand behind their neighbourhood officers and Kent Police and pass us any information they may have as to the identity of the person responsible for this.”

Anyone with information about the assault or the identity of the man is asked to contact DS Mark Dennis at Margate police station on 01843 222194. (ref 18-1592)

Kent Police has two resident neighbourhood officers in Broadstairs, PC Barnes and PCSO Gerry Williams, as part of its ongoing commitment to neighbourhood policing across Thanet.