FEMALE police officers were headbutted, bitten and spat on in a series of attacks on officers on duty over new year.

In all, some 11 officers were assaulted in separate attacks while they were responding to incidents over the new year period.

One officer was left with a broken nose after she was headbutted whilst dealing with a suspect in Gosport.

Another female police constable was headbutted and bitten as she was arresting a suspect in the north of the county.

In Winchester, two officers were assaulted in two separate incidents involving being punched and spat on, while another officer required stitches after being attacked.

In addition to the 11 officers, three more Police Community Support Officers were also assaulted.

John Apter, chairman of the force’s Police Federation, the body which represents rank and file police officers, said he had released the information to show what officers have to face on the front line.

He said: “Sadly this is the reality of what it is like for police officers over new year.

“Of course there are more officers on duty to respond to the need for them to be policing at key times, but essentially this is what police officers do day in, day out.

“They are doing their best to serve their communities and in doing so they put themselves in harm’s way.”

He said although officers recognised the risks that come with the job, violence towards officers is never something that should be accepted by the public.

“None of these officers are bemoaning what has happened to them, unfortunately they do realise that, sadly, this can happen in the job that they do.

“It is never something that society should accept.

“When I spoke to an officer he said he was a bit sore but added that it was worth it for a good arrest.

“That says it all for me.”