Female police officers are being sexually assaulted as a result of excessive drinking, MPs have warned, as a new report lays bare the extent of the UK's "enormous" problem with alcohol.

Emergency services staff are regularly abused in drink-fuelled incidents, a parliamentary committee on alcohol harm has warned, as it emerged some staff are "felt up several times" in the course of one shift.

MPs heard evidence from a hospital consultant who was kicked in the face and another who warned A&E staff do not have time to help patients properly because they are forced to deal with so many drunks.

In one area, 86 per cent of police officers surveyed had been assaulted by people who had been drinking.