P.c. Pythagoras Santiago, 25, and P.c. Dean Stanford, 24, were attacked around 10.20 p.m. after they stopped a motorist along Scott's Hill Road in Sandys.

A struggle ensued involving between six to eight men who beat the officers until they were unconscious.

It was the third attack on Police this year.

The first occurred on January 3, when a crowd of about 400 people attacked Police as they tried to break up a fight on Court Street.

Another incident was recorded last month when a Policeman was beaten at the junction of Manse and Middle Roads.

In Saturday's attack P.c. Stanford received a large gash to his forehead.

P.c. Santiago suffered discomfort in his throat after being kicked in the neck. Both men were also badly bruised.

They were both released from hospital yesterday morning and were last night recovering at home.

Two 19-year-old men and one 26-year-old man have since been arrested in connection with the incident. All three reside in Sandys.

Police investigations are continuing, and an incident room has been set up at the Somerset Police Station headed by Chief Insp. Dave Barber and Det. Insp.

Legay Farley.

Anyone with information is asked to call the station at 234-1010.

At a press conference at Police headquarters yesterday, Police Commissioner Mr. Lennett (Lennie) Edwards expressed concern and disappointment about the incident.

Mr. Edwards said that he was at least consoled by the fact that in earlier Police attacks this year, men had been charged and had appeared before the courts.

He said he also expected someone to appear before the courts very soon in connection with an incident last Friday, when a metal file was hurled through a bus window as it was travelling out of Somerset, near to the Royal Naval field.

"The area of violence causes me a lot of concern,'' he said, "as well as the rest of Bermuda.'' Mr. Edwards said he was pleased with the assistance that Police had received from the public, though he was concerned by the element of society that was causing the problems.

In light of the increase in violent attacks on Police, Mr. Edwards said steps were being taken to back up Police when they went out on calls.

Police spokesman Sgt. Roseanda Jones, in a prepared statement, urged bystanders not to resort to violence or to interfere when Police were carrying out their duties.

She further urged them to seek other avenues if they disagreed with Police procedure instead of becoming confrontational.