A total of six people have been charged over separate assaults against police officers across west Kent.

The suspects were arrested across Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, West Malling and Sevenoaks under the new Assaults on Emergency Workers Act.

The legislation came into force in November last year, criminalising violence against police, paramedics, nurses and other blue light workers and giving tougher sentencing powers to judges.

On Saturday, January 12, police arrested a woman after a disturbance at Sevenoaks Hospital.

After she was detained, a police officer was spat at in the face.

Lucy Symes, 18, of Sandy Lane, Sevenoaks, was charged with three counts of assault and a further charge of using threatening or abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.

She was bailed to appear before Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, February 5.

Just before 6am on Sunday, January 13, police were called to a fight in Maidstone town centre, where one of the officers was hit in the face.

Thomas Parnell, 21, of Grove Lane, Hunton, was arrested and charged with assaulting an emergency worker.

He was bailed to appear before Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Friday, February 15.

On the same day, three officers reported being spat at whilst dealing with a prisoner who was in custody at Maidstone police station.

Matthew Gilbert, 22, of Pine Tree Avenue, Canterbury was remanded in custody charged with three counts of assault of an emergency worker.

He is also accused of possessing a knife in a public place and an offence of violent behaviour at a police station, he will appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court today.

The remaining three suspects who were arrested last weekend are also facing charges under the new Act.

Rachel Hawkins, 39, of Harries Road, Tunbridge Wells was arrested in Birkdale, Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, January 12 and is bailed to appear before Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, February 19.

David Barwick, 28 of Longlands Road, Sidcup, who was arrested in London Road, West Malling on Sunday, January 13 has been bailed to appear before Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, February 19.

Bonnie Draper, 26, of Knightrider Street, Maidstone, who was arrested in Hardy Street, Maidstone on the same day and is bailed to appear before Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Friday, February 15.

Maidstone chief inspector Ray Quiller said: "Every day police are required to attend unpredictable, challenging and sometimes volatile situations.

"However, like any other job, officers should not be subjected to assaults whilst they are carrying out their duties.

"It is completely unacceptable and those who we suspect are responsible for abusing and assaulting police officers can expect to be charged with an offence that can carry serious penalties."