Police officer knocked unconscious in graveyard attack

'We are carrying out searches of the local area and are being assisted by the National Police Air Service helicopter,' force says

No arrests have yet been made, Kent Police say (PA)

Police are searching for a gang who assaulted an officer and knocked him unconscious in a graveyard.

The male officer was attacked while on duty in Ramsgate, Kent, on Friday night.

The incident happened at around 9.50pm in the graveyard in St Lawrence Chase.

A statement from Kent Police said the officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment and has since been discharged.

It is also believed that one of the people who assaulted the officer may have been in possession of a gun.

While no firearm was discharged, armed officers attended the scene as a precaution.

"We are carrying out searches of the local area and are being assisted by the National Police Air Service helicopter," the force said.

No arrests have yet been made and anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police.

Earlier this month a police officer needed hospital treatment after he suffered a fractured eye socket during an unprovoked attack in Harrow, north London.

In 2016/17 there were 8,973 assaults on officers resulting in injury across the UK, and 16,531 crimes of "assault without injury on a constable" recorded across all forces.