There were a further 20,578 assaults on frontline officers that did not cause injuries. The alarming spike last night prompted calls for forces to routinely issue Taser devices to all officers who want to carry them.  Meanwhile, courts were urged to throw the book at thugs who attack those working to protect the public. John Apter, the national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “We believe these figures are just the tip of the iceberg. 

“Every officer signs up knowing policing can be dangerous, and if called upon they will be the ones expected to unquestioningly run towards danger. 

“And every day in every town across the country, police officers are assaulted and injured just doing their jobs. 

“The Police Federation campaigned for harsher sentences. What we need now is for magistrates and judges to use the full force of their bolstered powers to reinforce the message that these acts are unacceptable and should never be considered ‘just part of the job’.” 

Latest Home Office data shows there were 20,578 assaults on officers across all forces in England and Wales, including the British Transport Police, that did not cause injury in the year to March (2018/19).

The 10,399 assaults that did cause injuries were an increase of 27 percent in a year. 

Metropolitan Police officers were the most routinely attacked, with 2,319 assaults causing injuries last year, equal to six a day. 

There were 524 in the West Midlands, 424 in Hampshire, 340 in Merseyside, 323 in Avon and Somerset, 288 in Sussex and 274 in South Yorkshire.

Overall, there were 30,977 assaults of any kind, equal to 85 officers being attacked every day.

Tory MP David Davies said: “These absolutely appalling figures underline the importance of much stronger prison sentences for those who commit violent crimes, especially those who attack frontline public sector workers, including police officers, in the course of their duty. 

“Having spent nine years as a special constable I know the police put themselves on the line to protect the public and don’t deserve the abuse and violence they face on an almost daily basis.” 

Rank and file officers are facing an unprecedented threat from criminals carrying knives and weapons, it was said. 

All frontline police carry batons but Tasers – first issued in 2004 – are not routinely authorised by all forces. 

The increase in assaults on officers comes after a week in which two were hospitalised for horrific injuries sustained while on duty. 

Last Thursday, PC Stuart Outten, 28, was stabbed in the head as he tried to stop a van suspected of having no insurance in Leyton, east London.

The Met policeman Tasered his assailant despite receiving multiple stab wounds to his head and body. 

PC Outten suffered a wound to the side of his head which required stitches and needed an operation for a hand injury caused while trying to fend off the attack. 

PC Gareth Phillips was run over by his own patrol car in Birmingham on Saturday. 

The 42-year-old traffic officer was left with potentially life-changing injuries after the incident in Moseley. Home Office figures show forces in England and Wales saw 20,564 police officers leave between March 2010 and March 2019. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the recruitment of 20,000 new officers would begin within weeks as he promises to get a grip on “Wild West Britain”. 

Such was the alarm at the number of attacks on police officers, the Home Office introduced a specific category for “assault with injury on a constable” in 2017. 

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “I’ll back the police and help bring an end to these shocking acts of violence.” 

A Government spokesman said: “Being attacked should never be part of the job for our courageous police officers, who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us. 

“That is why we supported the Assaults on Emergency Workers Act, which means judges must consider tougher sentences for assaults on emergency workers.” 

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