Injured policeman speaks of attack

Pc Dale Nufer relaxes at home with his daughter Elke

A police officer who was injured in the Bank Holiday rioting in central London has told how he came under attacked by rampaging protesters.

Pc Dale Nufer dislocated his shoulder when a thug grabbed his shield and "yanked his shoulder out of its socket".

I could see my colleagues being punched and attacked

Pc Dale Nufer

The 36-year-old constable, from Winchmore Hill, north London, was in a line of riot police attempting to drive protesters back into Trafalgar Square when he was injured.

"We were being rained with missiles and I could see my colleagues being punched and attacked," Pc Nufer said.

"We were trying to be as polite as possible to the demonstrators but there were some that just wouldn't move."

Agony

He described how he was injured when he reached down to move a seated protester.

"I felt someone yank my shield so that my shoulder just popped out of its socket," he said.

"It was agony. I felt so vulnerable because my arm had just locked out and I was forced to move behind the line for protection."

The father-of-two was treated by paramedics and had to retire from duty, despite asking senior officers if he could carry on.

Pc Nufer said he felt nothing but disgust for the thugs who defaced the Cenotaph and a statue of Sir Winston Churchill.

"They obviously have no respect for those who died to keep this a free country," he said.

Pc Nufer, who is based at Charing Cross police station, said he thought the violence had been completely unnecessary.

"We were going out of our way not to provoke trouble-makers but there is always a core of people intent on violence and causing as much damage as they possibly can," he added.

Doctors hope that the injured officer will be able to return to work soon but he will be put on light duties.