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More police assaulted on duty
POLICE are increasingly becoming victims of serious attacks while on duty, latest figures reveal.
Since 2001 the total number of assaults across Hampshire has gone up nine per cent, from 374 to 408.
And attacks which have left officers seriously injured have risen a staggering 115 per cent in just five years.
The Hampshire Police Federation, the body that represents rank and file officers, said police faced the threat of attack and abuse every time they take to the streets.
Chairman Stephen Price said: 'The number of assaults against officers has escalated over the last few years.
'It's an increase year on year. The number of officers seriously assaulted is now in triple figures.
'Anybody who assaults a police officer trying to execute their duty should be dealt with extremely robustly.
'If any officer is doing their duty and arresting someone for an offence the time to argue is in court or during interview.'
Only last week Portsmouth PC Richard Aird suffered a suspected broken nose when he was headbutted while on duty.
As reported in The News PC Aird was attacked as he tried to help a colleague arrest a violent man in Cleveland Road in Southsea at about 8.15pm on Thursday. PC Craig Pearson was also punched in the side of the head.
The shocking figures may, in part, be down to officers recording more assaults on them than before.
Mr Price added: 'That police are assaulted should not be considered par for the course and one of the risks of doing police work – and it's the same for other emergency services.
'They are there to protect the public. For officers to be injured doing so is not acceptable.'
n Aaron Kendrick, 18, of Devonshire Square, Southsea and Matthew Ayling, 19, of Chedworth Crescent, Paulsgrove, were both charged with assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty and using words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress after the incident in Cleveland Road, Southsea.
They are to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on January 17.
victoria.taylor@thenews.co.uk