Fifth attack on police officer

File photo / NZ Herald

A Tauranga policeman became the fifth officer to be bashed on the job in three weeks after he pulled over a car in Welcome Bay on Saturday night.

The officer received minor injuries after he was allegedly hit at 10.30pm near the intersection of James Cook Drive and Victory St.

Sergeant Steve Hindmarsh, of Tauranga Police, said a 29-year-old Greerton man has been charged with assault, resisting arrest and possession of an offensive weapon.

The driver of the car, a 33-year-old Greerton woman, has been charged with assaulting a police officer with a "blunt weapon", obstruction, resisting arrest and driving while forbidden.

Mr Hindmarsh said the officer radioed for assistance and the two accused were taken into custody. They will appear in the Tauranga District Court on Wednesday.

Four other policemen have been assaulted since December 11, starting with Senior Constable Bruce Mellor who was attacked with a machete near Taihape.

Boxing Day saw a constable allegedly beaten by two men in Mahia. A Hamilton policeman was attacked by two teenagers armed with a machete and a knife when he went to a house after reports of people fighting with weapons.

And in Matauri Bay, a policeman was set upon by two teenage boys.