hurt one of his officers in a Court Street fight.

Mr. Lennett (Lennie) Edwards said Monday's attack on Det. Con. John Fryer was unprovoked. "It was very cowardly,'' he declared.

But Mr. Edwards heaped praise on bystanders who rushed to his officer's aid.

He said they would be in line for special awards.

Mr. Edwards also revealed four youths were helping Police with inquiries into the flare-up.

Violence erupted at about 2.30 a.m. outside the Spinning Wheel night spot. A crowd of about 400 was present as Police came under a hail of bottles and stones while trying to stop trouble.

Det. Con. Fryer suffered a broken nose and cuts around his body when he was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked by up to 15 thugs.

The 36-year-old was treated at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, and is recovering at home. Last night he declined to comment.

Another officer, aged 20, suffered minor cuts to his hand.

Yesterday Mr. Edwards said the disturbance was the most serious among a string of New Year incidents.

"I would like to express my disappointment at the amount of criminal activity over the New Year.

"It contrasted with a quiet Christmas holiday.'' Mr. Edwards described the beating of Det. Con. Fryer as "merciless''.

It was appalling an officer trying to stop trouble should become a victim of it.

Mr. Edwards, however, applauded those who had come to the police officer's aid.

Their actions provided a "flicker of light'' in the New Year gloom, he said.

"I am very thankful to them. Det. Fryer would have suffered a lot more serious injuries.'' Mr. Edwards said Police would be contacting those who had stepped in.

It was normal for such people who put themselves at risk to receive commendation.

The probe into the incident is being headed by Det. Insp. Jonathan Smith, who has appealed for witnesses.

"The investigation is progressing very well,'' said Mr. Edwards, who anticipated many arrests.

Mr. Edwards pointed to several other New Year incidents which kept Police busy.

Among them was the "harassment'' of a Policeman's wife on Sunday afternoon.

She endured a torrent of bad language from someone who turned up at her home.

The officer was out, and the harassment was totally unprovoked, said Mr.

Edwards.

Mr. Edwards added Police were also alerted when young rowdies showed up at the hospital's Emergency Department.

The youths were thwarted by the hospital's tough security measures.

Police were called out as well to a string of "domestic'' New Year incidents, said Mr. Edwards.

The crime spree is likely to fuel anger and concern over Police manpower cuts brought on by the recession.

Mr. Edwards, however, said he did not anticipate further cuts this year.

"I have been pretty much guaranteed that,'' he added.

ON THE MEND -- Det. Con. John Fryer recovering after the Court St. attack.