A NUMBER of people have been arrested after police officers were assaulted over the Easter holiday weekend.

Hampshire Police Federation has confirmed that 14 officers were punched, kicked, bitten and spat at when they were called to deal with incidents in Hedge End and Southampton last weekend.

None were seriously injured but the force has confirmed that following the incidents a number of people have been arrested and some charged.

John Apter, chairman of Hampshire Police Federation, said: “It’s unacceptable, my colleagues don’t deserve that treatment.”

Mr Apter said that it is not unusual that officers are assaulted when called to deal with incidents and he is now calling for action to be taken.

“The public has to understand the load of violence being used against our colleagues. The society needs to accept that it’s not acceptable to attack police officers and the court has to step in. People who assault emergency officers should be taken more seriously by the court and the sentence should be appropriate,” he said.

“The reality is that we have fewer police officers than we had before. The government has to give more money to police officers.”

The force was unable to confirm details of the incidents before the Chronicle went to press.