A HUGE police presence descended on Warrington town centre, with a suspect arrested.

No less than eight police cars and a police van were spotted at the bottom of Horsemarket Street, at the junction with Winwick Street and Scotland Road, on Saturday afternoon.

Cheshire Police has today, Thursday, confirmed that it was called to the scene following reports of an altercation.

Officers attended and six were reported to have been assaulted by a man kicking, biting, scratching and spitting.

One is reported to have sustained a suspected broken wrist.

A man was arrested and Wesley Burton, aged 40 and of Brick Street in Warrington town centre, has since been charged in connection with the incident.

He faces five counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker and one of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

All are alleged to have been committed against six police officers on Horsemarket Street on Saturday.

Burton made a first appearance before Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Monday in relation to the charges.

No indications of plea were given, with the defendant confirming his identity.

District judge Boswell sent the case to Liverpool Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing next month.

Burton has been remanded on conditional bail until this hearing.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “A 40-year-old man has been charged after a number of police officers were assaulted in Warrington.

“Wesley Burton, of Brick Street, Warrington, was arrested on Saturday, March 16, and has since been charged with five counts of assault on an emergency worker.

“Burton was also charged with wounding without intent.

“He has been released on conditional bail to appear at Liverpool Crown Court in April.”