BBC Breakfast halted for 'distressing' warning minutes in to morning show

BBC Breakfast hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay were compelled to alert viewers about "distressing" footage just moments into Monday's broadcast. The presenters opened today's programme (16 February) with the day's top stories, including a segment on violence against police officers.

Jon stated: "Stabbed, punched, pinned down, choked. Just some examples of the violence that is faced by police officers everyday." Sally added: "One force in the North East of England has shared footage of an attack to show how difficult how the situation can become.

"And just a warning, you might find some scenes in this report from Stuart Whincup distressing."

The BBC Breakfast segment featured an officer being struck and assaulted whilst attempting to make an arrest, with the suspect responding violently.

Reporter Stuart explained: "After resisting arrest, things quickly turned violent."

The officer then recounted: "He's then punched me, charged me, and wrapped his hands around my waist and gripped his fist and started to strangle me."

In the footage, the officer could be heard crying out, "Stop strangling me, get off," whilst appearing to be forced to the ground.

In the voiceover, he went on: "I've been able to hit my emergency radio, and then at that point it's survival, the adrenaline kicks in, it's fight or flight. I had no choice but to fight."

He received assistance from fellow officers, but acknowledged the recollection of that day's events will stay with him permanently. He went on: "As a police officer, that's what we do, we run into danger every day. But from the night I went home, and that's when it kicks in. You think, I left home at 6am to come to work, I said bye to my mother, father, sister, my partner, who all love me dearly, not realising I've come home and I've just been strangled. That feeling, the helpless feeling of being strangled won't leave me, it will stay with me for the rest of my life."

Stuart then revealed how the individual arrested was subsequently imprisoned for 20 months for the incident, but the "appalling" assaults on officers are becoming "far too common".

Another police officer added: "We've seen officers that have been stabbed, we've seen vehicles driven at officers, spat at, kicked, punched.

"We do not tolerate our officers being assaulted, it is not acceptable. They are coming to protect the people, the community, the vulnerable, and simply doing their job."

Stuart concluded: "Police bosses say they hope the recent prison sentences send out a clear message that those who carry out these violent attacks will be brought before the courts."