Gang attacked top police officer

Det Supt Gary Richardson was attacked in front of his family

A senior police officer has been attacked by a gang and hit with a brick while out with his wife and son.

He was targeted by four people - one a girl of 15 - in Surrey.

Det Supt Gary Richardson, 49, deputy chief of Operation Trident, the drive against gun crime in black communities, was attacked in West Molesey.

The attack happened in October, but the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Sunday that Mr Richardson was the victim. Four people have been arrested and bailed.

'Several blows'

Surrey Police, which released information about the incident but not Mr Richardson's name, said he was walking along a road with his family when he was attacked.

Two men shouted abuse before hitting him on the back of the head with a brick.

A scuffle followed, during which Mr Richardson blocked several blows with his arm and was hit in the back.

He was taken to Kingston Hospital with minor injuries after the assault.

Two men, aged 20 and 19 and and a girl, 15, all from West Molesey, were arrested along with a 17-year-old girl from Wimbledon.

Surrey Police said the four were bailed until 20 December pending further inquiries.