THERE were nearly 400 attacks on police officers on duty in Lancashire in the last 12 month, figures have revealed.



The figures have been described as ‘disgusting’ by community leaders, whilst a police spokesman said they will prosecute anybody who attacks officers.



The statistics, collected by the home office, do show that those figures were slightly down on the previous year.



A police spokesman said: “Officers and staff routinely put themselves in harm’s way as they carry out their duties serving our communities and protecting the public.



“It should not be seen as simply part of the job and we will continue to seek the prosecution of anyone who assaults our staff and, more importantly, will support our officers and staff if they are assaulted.”

The figures show that there were 383 assaults on officers on duty in the 12 months up to March 2016, with 240 of those self-reported.

During the previous 12 months 476 officers were assaulted whilst on duty

Meanwhile two of the county’s MPs have described the attacks as ‘disgusting’ and ‘appalling’.



Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “It is disgusting. Any assault on a police officer or any member of the emergency services going about their job is completely unacceptable. It’s worrying to see so many attacks taking place in Lancashire.

“If and when these people are prosecuted the full force of the law needs to come down on them to make sure there is a clear message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: “I think it is appalling that people would attack police officers.



“Serving police officers are ordinary people putting their lives at risk every day to keep us safe. It is disgraceful that anybody would think it is acceptable to go out and attack them.”



Earlier this year PC Nigel Keates was bitten in the hand and needed hospital treatment while attempting to arrest a man in Colne.

The man in that case was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and assaulting a police officer. He was kept in custody overnight but released with a conditional caution.



Speaking at the time PC Keates, who had also been attacked earlier in his career, said: “I joined the police to help people. At 54 I’m too old to be being attacked.”



Nobody from the Lancashire Police Federation was available for comment.