Police officers have been attacked 2,282 times across Kent since the start of last year, alarming figures reveal.

In 2019, there were 1,145 assaults on police officers across the county and by the end of September this year there had already been 1,137 recorded.

These numbers come after a man spat at officers in Ashford on October 5 and another attacked four police officers in Ramsgate while claiming he had Covid-19 , amongst others.

Between January 2019 and the end of last month, Medway saw the highest amount of reported incidents with a staggering 403 assaults, while Thanet racked up 290 and Maidstone 250.

Gravesham recorded the fourth highest amount with 214, then Swale which saw 174 assaults followed by 158 in Canterbury .

Chief Constable of Kent Police Alan Pughsley said: "My officers are required to attend unpredictable, challenging and sometimes volatile situations in order to protect the public but this shouldn't mean they should accept being abused or assaulted."

"It is clear that in 2020 we are likely to see an increase compared to 2019 and that is why when an officer is assaulted, it is important they get the same level of care that is given to all victims of a violent crime and Kent Police has a comprehensive welfare and support system in place to help with their recovery.

"The nature of assaults my officers are subjected to can vary from being physically attacked to being spat at – which has its own implications in the current Covid-19 climate."

Earlier this year Home Secretary Priti Patel called for an increase in jail time for offenders who assaulted officers, from a maximum sentence of one year behind bars to two years.

The Chief Constable continued: "Recent news that the maximum sentence for those who assault emergency workers is to be doubled from one to two years in prison is hugely welcomed and supports the idea that being assaulted must never be seen as 'just part of the job'."

"The wellbeing of my officers and staff is a priority for the force, so it gave me enormous pleasure to lead on the Officer and Staff Safety Review (OSSR) for England and Wales and announce its findings and recommendations in September 2020 as part of my role on the National Police Chiefs Council.

"The OSSR saw more than 40,000 survey responses by officers and staff and means there will now be a national curriculum for safety training and trials of new protective technology."

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