Castlefield residents say they fear for the future of their neighbourhood after a policeman was found unconscious with a head injury after an alleged assault in Spearing Road on Wednesday.

A horrified resident who lives near the scene of Wednesday's incident described seeing a policeman lying on the ground with blood around him after the incident.

Neighbour Ellen Bullock, who lives in Rutland Avenue, said that she has seen the area change dramatically in the 40 years she has lived there.

She said: "Castlefield used to be a really loving area but everything has changed. Once upon a time you could have left your door open – you can’t do that now. It’s really sad.

"I would like to move but we have been here such a long time – about 40 years."

Ambulance crews confirmed they were called to reports of an unconscious man.Thames Valley Police have since confirmed that the injured man was one of their officers.

The policeman, who has not been named, suffered a head injury and was taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Earlier this year, the Castlefield community was rocked by a spate of car criminal damage, which saw more than 250 incidents of vandalism to vehicles.

A Rutland Avenue resident, who did not want to be named, said: "The worst thing is we cannot sell these houses because no one wants to live here and the insurance has gone sky high. It’s not nice for our kids to grow up around here. We have got extra police but it is not enough.

"They used to have police going up and down the road but that has stopped now – it is ridiculous."

Wednesday’s incident has shocked the community that recently honoured the work of its community officers.

Earlier this summer, residents and public figures nominated PC Andrew Smith from the beat for the community police officer of the year award.

PC Smith won the force-wide accolade, with chief constable Francis Habgood paying tribute to the "widely liked, trusted and respected" officer.

However a Spearing Road resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said it was less common to see police on the streets in the area.

He said: "A lot more could be done. We need more police patrols and CCTV. If we did get that it would prevent a lot of things going on."

Oakridge and Castlefield councillor Sebert Graham, who lives nearby in Chairborough Road, said: "We see them [police] patrolling in Castlefield regularly to keep the community secure. I think everyone needs to be more appreciative of the work they do, they work hard to keep us safe on the streets.

"Castlefield is a nice place to live and this is terrible. My thoughts are with the police officer in question and I hope he is going to be ok."

- A man has been charged in connection with the incident. Aiden George, 20, of Spearing Road, was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm on Wednesday.

He appeared at High Wycombe magistrate’s court on Thursday, September 17 and was remanded in custody to appear at Aylesbury Crown Court on September 24.

A 51-year-old woman from High Wycombe has also been arrested in connection with the investigation on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

She was arrested on Wednesday and has been released on police bail until September 29.