Youth aged 14 runs down local police officer in Sanlúcar in deliberate collision
A 14-year-old deliberately struck an officer with a motorcycle in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Trade unions also report serious staff shortages in the local police force.
Minor strikes local police officer in Sanlúcar after being stopped
A 14-year-old allegedly deliberately ran down a local police officer in Sanlúcar de Barrameda with a motorcycle during an intervention, according to a joint statement by the local police trade unions of the municipality.
The incident took place on Thursday, 25 June, at around 18:00, on Calle Molinillo. A patrol observed a motorcycle with two occupants travelling the wrong way down a one-way street and signalled for the vehicle to stop, which initially did so just metres from the patrol car.
When one of the officers got out to proceed with identifying the driver, the latter "suddenly accelerated and deliberately struck the officer, knocking him to the ground and causing him various injuries", according to the trade union statement. The passenger, a 13-year-old minor, also fell to the ground as a result of the impact, whilst the driver fled the scene.
The injured officer was transferred to Virgen del Camino Hospital in Sanlúcar for medical attention.
During the flight, the motorcycle lost its number plate, which allowed officers to locate the driver. The youth subsequently presented himself at the local police headquarters accompanied by a family member. The second minor, who had remained at the scene, was also collected by a family member who attended the police premises.
The driver faces a suspected charge of assault against a law enforcement officer and another charge relating to road safety. The proceedings have been forwarded to the Juvenile Prosecutor's Office. The motorcycle was seized and taken to the municipal impound after being found to lack compulsory insurance and a valid vehicle inspection certificate (ITV).
Trade unions report 16 vacant positions and city of 70,000 residents served by single patrol
Following the incident, the trade unions have raised concerns about staff shortages in Sanlúcar's local police force. According to the statement, there are currently 16 vacant positions in the force, and during certain shifts the city, home to 70,000 residents, is covered by a single patrol of two officers.
Trade union representatives describe the situation as "absolutely unsustainable" and point out that the incident demonstrates the "extreme vulnerability" in which local police officers work. They attribute a "constant deterioration" of the service to the municipal government and are calling for a public recruitment drive, urgent reinforcement of staffing levels, and greater provision of human and material resources.
The trade unions additionally demand that the mayor of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Carmen Álvarez, "take responsibility" for a situation which, in their view, "should never have happened".
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)