A police officer injured after a collision in Aldeburgh where he requested three motorcyclists to stop has now been discharged from hospital.

The crash took place around 4pm yesterday in High Street and two people arrested in connection with the incident have been released under investigation.

Suffolk police said the officer had cause to request three motorcyclists to stop but two of them failed to do so.

The officer was subsequently injured in a collision with one of them.

He was taken to James Paget Hospital with what was initially feared to be a serious leg injury.

Tests have now confirmed that the officer’s leg is not broken but is badly bruised and swollen with suspected ligament damage.

Police said he has now left hospital to continue his recovery at home and would like to pass on his thanks to all the members of the public who stopped to assist him.

Two people were subsequently arrested in connection with this incident following a search of the local area.

Their details are as follows:

- An 18-year-old man from Beccles arrested on suspicion of: causing grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving, drug-driving, failing to stop for police, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, no MOT, and possession of a Class B or C drug

- A 19-year-old man from Beccles, arrested on suspicion of: dangerous driving, drug-driving, failing to stop for police, and possession of a Class B or C drug

Both men were taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning and have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Recent statistics revealed that assaults on police officers in the county have risen sharply, with cases involving injury tripling from 34 in 2014 to 124 last year.

Mark Emsden, general secretary of the Suffolk Police Federation, said: “There has been an increase and this is something we are very aware of.

“I think one of the factors contributing to this is the fact that attitudes in society have changed to what they were 20/30 years ago.

“On top of that, there is not so much of a deterrent now. We now see people laughing as they walk out of court with peanuts fines.

“We are working on a national campaign which is seeking tougher penalties for those who assault police officers or people from the other emergency services.

“Because no-one expects to go to work and end up in hospital. I think people forget that these people are just doing their jobs.”

Any witnesses to the Aldeburgh incident are asked to contact the PHQ Roads Policing Team on 101, quoting reference 29172/18.