A police officer has told how she was left screaming in agony with a fractured ankle after violence erupted outside a Kent bar during a busy Saturday night patrol.
PC Lauren Butcher was seriously injured when officers responded to trouble outside the City Wall wine bar in Rochester High Street.
The 28-year-old has chosen to speak about her ordeal eight months on as a KentOnline investigation reveals the number of assaults on emergency workers in the county has risen by 12% in a year.
“It’s crazy how quick it happened – from the moment I left the car to it happening was about 30 seconds,” she said.
The incident unfolded as crowds packed the Medway town for payday weekend and Halloween celebrations on November 2.
As tensions flared outside the City Wall, officers initially watched from a distance before moving in when the situation escalated.
“Myself and my colleagues stood back for a few moments to see if security would be able to handle it,” PC Butcher recalled.
“They were not able to, so we stepped in to remove some of the more rowdy people and were alerted to one of the bouncers being assaulted.”
In the chaos that followed – both inside and outside the venue – three police officers and several members of the public were injured.
PC Butcher was reportedly dragged or pushed back while attempting to help restrain a suspect, fracturing her ankle and causing severe damage to the ligaments and tendons in her lower leg.
“My colleague heard the snap,” she said. “And then cue 10 minutes of screaming.”
Paramedics from the Joint Response Unit were first on scene to administer strong pain relief.
“The swelling was immense,” she recalled. “And the pain as well.”
PC Butcher’s injuries kept her off frontline duties for months. Showering, driving and climbing stairs were impossible. So too, for a while, was doing the job she loved.
“I came back far too quickly because I wanted to feel useful and helpful,” she said.
“But it was too early physically and mentally.”
Attacked in the line of duty
The reported assault on PC Butcher was one of 2,377 recorded against emergency workers in Kent last year – 254 more than in 2023.
And while a considerable number of the attackers have faced prosecution, many cases have been dropped because suspects could not be identified, victims withdrew, or prosecutors concluded a charge was not in the public interest.
The long-term impact often extends far beyond the physical injuries.
“It’s a massive knock to your confidence,” PC Butcher said.
“Even if it’s not your fault, you still feel like ‘could I have done something more?’”
Although PC Butcher had been assaulted previously, having been pushed and kicked while on duty, the aftermath of the incident in Rochester was different.
“For two months, my life was completely on hold,” she said.
“I wasn’t able to go up the stairs or get in a shower properly.”
PC Butcher says the incident also had a lasting impact on others.
“I blamed myself for a few weeks,” she said.
“And then I think what the hardest bit was, is that the colleagues I was with have really suffered as well, and I blamed myself for that.
“I always say it’s all the noise I was making when it happened, but I was in a lot of pain.
“I just don’t want them to feel like they did anything wrong, because they didn’t. If anything, they all looked after me and protected me.”
‘I still love this job’
PC Butcher has since transferred away from Medway station – admitting she may have “struggled” to return there – and is receiving ongoing support and counselling.
Now back at work on a phased return and set to spend two weeks at a dedicated rehabiltation centre for injured officers, she reflects on how the attack has shaped her outlook on a job she started less than three years ago.
“I don’t know if I’d prefer it to have happened early on [in my career], where I’m still like ‘No, I still love this job’,” she said, “compared to, you know, 10 years’ time, if I’d started a family and had kids at home and thought, ‘actually, this isn’t worth it?’.”
Despite everything, she remains committed to the role.
“Ultimately, I’d rather go out there and get hurt than have someone else get hurt – because I’ve trained for it,” she said.
“My job is to protect people, so I’ve kind of signed up knowing that that’s going to happen.”
Shocking attacks on officers
While PC Butcher’s injuries were severe, other officers in Kent have endured even more extreme violence.
PC Sean Quinn suffered life-changing injuries after being attacked by Robert Jenner – known locally as the “Naked Carpenter” – at his flat in Maidstone in June 2023.
Jenner barricaded his door and stabbed the officer 23 times with large scissors as police forced entry, only stopping when colleagues intervened.
He was later found guilty of attempted murder and jailed for 30 years.
PC Quinn, who believed he was going to die, is still recovering from the physical and psychological impact.
In a separate case in January last year, PC Adam Staughton was seriously injured while carrying out speed checks in Ashford.
Barry Rossiter deliberately accelerated into the officer after being clocked at 43mph in a 30mph zone, knocking him onto the bonnet and fleeing the scene.
The officer was left with fractures to his pelvis and hip and has since been diagnosed with PTSD.
Rossiter, who had taken drugs and was driving an uninsured car not registered to him, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was given a 12-year extended sentence for public protection.
Risng threat sparks calls for harsher sentences
These are just three cases among thousands, with emergency workers – police officers, firefighters and paramedics – facing increasing violence while doing their jobs.
Many of the assaults happen behind closed doors during house calls, prompting ministers to propose changes to the Public Order Act that would allow harsher sentences for those who racially or religiously abuse emergency responders inside private homes.
Kent Police says it takes a “zero tolerance approach” towards assaults on any member of the emergency services.
Deputy Chief Constable Peter Ayling said: “Being attacked in the line of duty should never be seen as just being part of the job, and whilst the number of offences committed is concerning, it also demonstrates that more police officers, firefighters and medical professionals are having the confidence to come forward and report what has happened to them.
“We take our responsibility to our police officers, staff and volunteers very seriously and provide immediate support to those who are assaulted, including any who may require longer-term care such as physiotherapy, rehabilitation or counselling.
“They face dangerous situations on a daily basis and their welfare is of paramount importance, as is arresting the criminals responsible and making sure they are brought to justice.”
But for those like PC Butcher, the scars – both physical and emotional – can last far beyond any sentence.
“Everyone understands that it is a risk that you take by doing this role,” she said.
“But when it happens, it still knocks you. It still shakes you.”
In the dock
Following guilty pleas, three men have been sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court for their role in the altercation in Rochester.
Jim Stevens Jnr, 20, of Love Lane, Headcorn, admitted affray, common assault and assaulting an emergency worker (not PC Butcher) and was given six months detention suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirements.
Jimmy King, 18, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to affray and using threatening, abusive words with intent of causing fear of/provoking unlawful violence and received a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work.
Micky Stevens, 34, of Manor Green Road, Epsom, Surrey, admitted affray and received a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work.
A fourth man has admitted affray and assaulting an emergency worker, but denies causing grievous bodily harm. He is due to stand trial in May 2027.
