A NUMBER of people have been arrested after police officers were assaulted and even spat at over Easter weekend.

Hampshire Police Federation has confirmed that 14 officers were punched, kicked, bitten and spat at when they were called to deal with incidents in Hedge End and Southampton last weekend.

None of them was seriously injured nor taken to hospital but the force has confirmed that a number of people have been arrested following the incidents and some people have been charged.

John Apter, chairman of Hampshire Police Federation, said: "My colleagues don't deserve to be subject to such levels of violence for simply doing their job. It's only through luck that no officers were more seriously injured."

Mr Apter said that it is not unusual that officers are assaulted when called to deal with incidents, especially during the weekend and he is now calling for action to be taken.

"It’s important that the public understands the level of violence being used against our colleagues. The majority of society understands it is unacceptable to attack police officers, we also need more support from the Courts. People who assault any emergency workers, including police officers, nurses and paramedics should be taken more seriously by the Courts and the sentence imposed should be appropriate," he said.

And added: "I have campaigned for more officers to have Taser’s but the reality is that we have fewer police officers than we had before. We need more officers not less, the Government needs to step up and increase funding for forces."

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said that officers are to benefit from more money as police chiefs have increased their percept charges on the yearly council tax bill.

He added: “It’s completely unacceptable that police officers are assaulted.

"Their business is to protect people and they should be safe to do so. People who assault police should fill the full force of the law. People in general are very supportive of the police and would not expect a police officer being at risk when they are out to keep us safe.”

The force was unable to confirm details of the incidents before the Echo went to press.