CALLS have been made for harsher punishments after a police officer was assaulted by schoolchildren.

A police officer was assaulted by a 15-year-old opposite Wildern School in Hedge End on March 16.

But now Hampshire Police Federation chair, Zoe Wakefield, has made calls for stronger punishments for offenders as assaults on officers "increase".

She also said that more officers on the streets will act as a deterrent.

As previously reported, two teenagers were approached by the officer after it was alleged that one of them had committed a public order offence.

An altercation broke out between one of the teenager and the officer. This resulted in the officer being assaulted.

A 15-year-old boy from Botley was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty.

He was later released under investigation.

Ms Wakefield said: "The force and the federation offer a significant level of support for officers who are assaulted. However, assaults on officers are increasing.

"The punishments given out by the courts are clearly not enough of a deterrent.

"The maximum sentence for assaulting an emergency worker is two years imprisonment but we rarely see custodial sentences even for the most serious assaults.

"More visible police officers on the streets will also be a deterrent, not just for assaulting officers but also for committing crime.

"The increase in recruiting is welcome but will still not be sufficient to get police officer numbers back to where they were before the cuts.

"The loss of experience will take years to replace. And this doesn’t take into account that the population has grown and crime has increased."

Police have also reported nearby antisocial behaviour.

This includes littering, intruding on neighbouring properties, gathering in such a way as to block the area for anyone else wanting to walk through, and using foul and abusive language in public.

Concerns have also been raised over the use of drugs and drug involvement.

The Daily Echo has contacted Wildern School for a comment on the incident.

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