Hawke's Bay policeman in hospital with facial injuries

A Hawke's Bay police officer is in hospital with facial injuries after he was punched, stomped on and had his radio smashed into his face this afternoon.

Clive community constable Alan Daly is currently in Hawke's Bay Hospital with facial injuries after he was assaulted by two people he had stopped in a car in the small settlement, 10km north-east of Hastings.

Hastings Area Commander Inspector Dean Clifford said Mr Daly had been alerted to a possible stolen vehicle carrying two people who had allegedly been involved in a shoplifting spree in Napier. Around 3.15pm Mr Daly saw the car driving through Clive and followed it into a cul-de-sac.

Mr Daly was speaking to the male and female in the car when the male got out and king hit Mr Daly from behind and knocked him to the ground. The female occupant of the car stomped on him and began smashing Mr Daly's police radio into his face.

Mr Clifford said other police staff who had been alerted to the vehicle quickly descended on the area and the two people were arrested. They are currently in custody and are being spoken to by police. It is believed Mr Daly was able to radio for help at some stage during the assault.

Mr Daly was conscious when ambulance staff arrived and he was taken to hospital. He has a suspected broken nose and cheekbone.

Mr Clifford said further details about the incident were yet to be confirmed.

"We have only spoken to Alan briefly and we have yet to ascertain the circumstances of the assault and why it may have happened.

"Obviously this is a very distressing time for Alan and his colleagues and we are doing everything we possibly can to support him and his family," Mr Clifford said.

Mr Daly has been a police officer for over 25 years and has been the sole charge officer at Clive for 10 years. He is married with children. He is well known in Hawke's Bay and has been heavily involved in rugby and Hawke's Bay Search and Rescue for many years.