12:50pm Thursday 2nd September 2010
Exclusive By Mike Didymus
A 20-year-old barricaded himself in his house after attacking a DVLA clamper and police officers called to his aid.
Police were called to Addison Road in South Norwood to reports of a man attacking two men clamping his vehicle on Wednesday afternoon.
When the officers arrived he turned his attention on them, using his head to smash the windscreen of their car before turning and sprinting to the other end of the street.
One 17-year-old neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said he also destroyed the rear windscreen of a nearby car before locking himself in his home.
She said: “He was out shouting in the street, his mum tried to calm him down but she couldn’t so the police were called.”
A police spokesman said: “We were called to Addison Rd, in South Norwood at 1.40pm today (Wednesday) to reports of a man assaulting a DVLA clamping crew.
“Officers attended and the male proceeded to attack their vehicle before barricading himself in his home nearby.
“The man, aged in his twenties, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and assault and taken to a south London hospital.
“Two of the DVLA clamping crew were injured and were taken to a south London hospital with minor facial injuries.”
"No officers were injured in the incident."
Tim Cowen of NSL, the DVLA’s contractor, said: “This was a very shocking assault on one of our officers. He was simply walking down a street when he was the victim of a serious assault out of the blue.
“He suffered a suspected broken nose and severe bruising and is quite shaken up.
“Our staff are trained to deal with difficult situations which may arise while they are carrying out their jobs, but incidents like this are very rare.
“We were very pleased to receive prompt support from the police and will do whatever we can to help them bring a successful prosecution.”
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