Three Hampshire police officers assaulted every day

An average of three police officers a day are assaulted in Hampshire, according to the organisation which represents rank and file officers.

Hampshire Police Federation has called for tougher sentences for offenders who carry out the attacks.

Zoë Wakefield, Hampshire Police Federation chair, said: "We need to work with judges and magistrates to educate them on the impact that these assaults have on officers.

"I know that the Avon and Somerset force did a lot of work around making sure that the body worn video was played in court because that was really impactive, and I know that we’re working on that in Hampshire."

"What kind of message does that send?"

The force recently saw a case where an offender had got hold of an officer’s baton and beat them over the head multiple times. He was given an 18-month suspended sentence.

Zoë said: "What kind of message does that send, not only to the public but to officers as well."

The latest crime figures provided by forces in England and Wales showed assaults increased by 14 per cent in the four weeks to February 14, compared with the same period in 2020.