Policeman attacked as people pass by | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

Passing motorists looked on as a Masterton man attacked a police officer in broad daylight after the vehicle the man was travelling in on Colombo Road was stopped for speeding on Friday.

The man, who was a passenger in the vehicle, got out of the car and assaulted the lone officer over a period of several minutes.

During the course of the struggle the officer managed to gain control over the assailant and radio for help.

Police are raising concerns that several vehicles drove by while the attack was happening and failed to stop, though one person did call for assistance for the lone officer.

The attack happened near Henley Lake and Lakeview School, north of the Waipoua Bridge on Colombo Road at 3pm around the time school was getting out.

The policeman suffered grazing to various parts of his body and swelling to his face from the

assault.

A man, 21, has been charged with assault of police, obstruction and resisting arrest.

He was freed on bail and will appear in court this week.

In an unrelated incident involving an attack on a police officer, a Masterton man, 25, was arrested outside the Horse and Hound Tavern at 2am on Saturday for assaulting a woman, assaulting police and resisting arrest.

Police said the man punched the arresting officer several times when the officer intervened in the assault of the woman.

The victim of the initial assault, a woman, 22, also became involved and was arrested for disorderly behaviour.