Hundreds of police officers suffer assaults

Since 2009, there have been 1,410 reports of officers being attacked. The constabulary currently has around 3,000 officers.

The figures show there has been a downward trend over the years, with fewer assaults in 2013/14 – but the force said having almost 1,500 incidents were “unacceptable”.

Rachel Baines, chairman of Lancashire Police Federation, said: “It’s pleasing to see the number of assaults falling on officers in Lancashire.

Fall

“However, with more than 500 fewer officers you would expect the number to fall.

“One assault on a police officer is one too many.

“Every day officers put their life on the line to protect communities.”

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “By the very nature of police work, our officers regularly risk their own safety to protect the communities they serve.

“We accept frontline policing can never be risk free and officers sometimes find themselves in dangerous and challenging situations.

“Lancashire Constabulary takes any assaults on staff extremely seriously and treats their safety as a priority.

“Officers receive comprehensive personal safety training when they join the police and regular refreshers.”