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A police chief is considering arming all front line officers with controversial Tasers following a string of horrific attacks.

Chief Constable Nick Adderley says the number of assaults on staff has rocketed by 50 per cent in just the last two years.

He believes the worrying trend is linked to a decline in police officer numbers –with 21,000 lost since 2010.

In one incident a PC suffered life-changing nerve damage after being bitten by a dog which was deliberately set on him. Another officer had half an ear bitten off while making an arrest.

Head of Northamptonshire Police Mr Adderley said: “It’s become culturally acceptable to inflict that level of injury on the police.

“If things don’t change my force will be the first in the country to arm all front line officers with Tasers.”

Only around a quarter of officers at most police forces are currently trained to use the stun guns.

In 2017/18, 72 attacks on police were recorded every day across England and Wales. The total of 26,295 assaults represented a 34% rise from 2013 when the figure was 19,670. But police insiders say the true figure is far higher due to under-reporting.

One experienced police officer said: “I personally don’t like to record assaults on myself as it means it’s more work piled onto my already overloaded colleagues.”

Mr Adderley believes the trend is being caused by funding cuts. He said: “Even criminals are aware that officers are thin on the ground.”

He believes a government-led programme to inspire young people to respect police officers could help ease the problem.