Assaults on 43 police officers in seven days, says PSNI chief constable
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Forty-three police officers have been assaulted in 30 separate incidents the past week, the PSNI's chief constable has said.
Their injuries included broken fingers and a dislocated knee. Several officers were spat on, Simon Byrne said in a tweet., external
The chief constable revealed that 18 people have been charged to date in connection with the assaults.
Separately, the PSNI announced last week it was to reduce staff numbers.
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI), which represents officers, told BBC News NI anyone who assaults an officer must face "severe penalties".
On Saturday, two police officers were attacked while investigating an incident in Portadown with one sustaining a broken finger and the second a dislocated knee.
In a separate incident on Saturday, two officers were unable to continue their patrol duties after their car was rammed in Strabane.
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The federation said the incidents last week are an "appalling catalogue of assaults on our men and women".
"Our officers are not some kind of punchbag for the ills of society," a PFNI spokesman said.
"The courts must use the full extent of powers at their disposal to send a clear message to would-be assailants that attacks will carry severe penalties and will be no longer tolerated," he added.
The PSNI announced on Thursday that it would be reducing its staff numbers by 6%.
Two officer swere injured after their patrol car was rammed in Strabane at the weekend
By March, there will be 309 fewer police officers and 115 fewer civilian staff.
The police service said it would not be recruiting new officers this year, so staff who leave the force will not be replaced.
The cuts will leave the PSNI with 6,700 officers, making it the smallest it has been since it was formed in 2001.
Victim Support NI's chief executive Janice Bunting said the cuts were "hugely concerning" and could lead to fewer crimes being reported and investigations taking longer.
Responding to Mr Byrne's tweet, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said the incidents were alarming and disappointing.
"My thoughts are with those injured and I commend all PSNI officers for the work they do on a daily basis to keep the people of Northern Ireland safe," he said.
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