Seven men are in custody for allegedly obstructing police officers during an assault case in Tavua town on Saturday night.

Divisional Police Commander West Acting Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Khan says the alleged incident occurred after a 20-year-old man assaulted another 20-year-old contractor.

The victim who had bought a few bottles of beer was confronted by the suspect who demanded money and when he refused the suspect is alleged to have assaulted him before trying to take off with the victim’s beer.

Officers from Tavua attended to the initial scene and in the process of arresting the suspect, six men who were nearby are alleged to have obstructed the officers from trying to arrest the suspect.

Another team of officers were deployed to assist the officers whereby all seven were arrested and are currently in custody at the Tavua Police Station.

Two of the seven are aged 20, while the remaining five are aged 23, 24, 26, 39 and 40 years.

Khan says officers are working tirelessly to keep the Western Division safe and a team of officers are always ready to be deployed to assist their comrades in the event a reports is received about officers being obstructed or assaulted during the execution of their duties.