1418 attacks on West Yorkshire police officers in 2019

There were 1418 attacks on police officers and PCSOs in the regional force last year, compared to 1256 in 2018, 876 in 2017 and 443 reports in 2016.

The Freedom of Information request paints a picture of abuse against the force with injuries ranging from fractures, burns and cuts to sprains and bruising.

Of the 1418 attacks, 198 cases involved superficial injuries, 100 were bruising and 98 were abrasions.

A total of seven officers had fracture injuries, three lost consciousness and 11 had punctures.

Brian Booth, chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, described the figures as "disgusting" but fears there could be more unreported assaults out there.

Mr Booth believes there's a "possibility" that the figures could be much higher if the Freedom of Information request also included attempted assaults, dealing with 30 to 50 attempted assaults every week.

And while the force has launched its #ProtectTheProtectors campaign, more action is needed, he says.

TOP STORIES:

When asked why we have seen a rise in attacks, Mr Booth told the Telegraph & Argus: "It's like a spiders web of reasons.

"Weak sentencing, lack of respect for police officers but also it's become almost socially acceptable to assault our emergency workers for certain members of our society.

"When there is no real deterrent there it means people just think 'I'm only going to get a smack on the wrist, I don't have to listen to them, I don't have to do as the law states'.

"It's disgusting."

The organisation is calling on the government to extend the sentence for assaulting a police officer to two years.

"They (defendants) go to court, the courts then give community service. My personal view is we should be having a minimal six month prison sentence," Mr Booth said.

"That is a true deterrent and that would curb the tide of these assaults. This happened in a state of Australia in Victoria.

"We need to, as a society, all stick together as these are a valuable resource."