Man charged after West Midlands police officer kicked in face

A man's been charged with several offences, including assaulting a police officer, after he was detained by officers on Soho Road in Birmingham.

West Midlands Police said Josiah Johnson, aged 28 and from Birmingham, was charged with assault, assaulting an emergency worker, two counts of criminal damage, and one of attempted criminal damage.

The charges come after an officer on Soho Road was threatened and kicked in the face around 8.30pm on Monday.

The force said the officer had been responding quickly to an emergency call reporting a man, who fitted Johnson's description and was wearing similar clothes, carrying a knife.

The officer tried to detain a man for a search, but the man then became aggressive.

More officers responded, including those from Operation Fearless, and the man was detained nearby, with a member of the public stepping in to help the officer.

West Midlands Police said that after this, two police cars and an ambulance were damaged, and another officer was assaulted in the custody block.

It also said it was aware of video footage circulating showing part of the incident, which officers were reviewing as part of the investigation.

Johnson is due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court next month, and his bail conditions prevent him from going onto the Soho Road for any reason.

Birmingham Police Chief Inspector Neata Simpson said: "We never tolerate any form of assault against our officers, who as part of their work in protecting the public, routinely put themselves in harm's way – in this case responding to a report of someone with a knife.

"Officers are highly-trained in detaining people safely and must have clear grounds to do so.

"Any form of assault against them is unacceptable, which is why we don't hesitate in dealing robustly with such attacks.

“As ever, we are grateful for the support of the local community on Soho Road, particularly to the member of the public who stepped in to help."