NEARLY 50 Cheshire Police officers a month have been attacked, prompting calls for tougher sentences for people who attack emergency workers.

Figures show that in the 12 months from April 2019, there were 596 assaults on the county’s officers, of which 222 resulted with an officer being injured.

These numbers actually show a decreased from 625 assaults in 2018/19 however, a consultation is now under way, which could lead to increased sentences for offenders from the current 12-months to two years.

Tatton MP Esther McVey is backing the calls for the longer jail time and is urging the Government to ‘be on the side of the police’.

She said: “One attack on a police officer or any emergency worker is one too many and while a reduction in numbers is welcomed, these are still worryingly high incidents of officers, who are putting themselves in danger to protect us, being assaulted.

“We need to send out a strong message that anyone guilty of assault on an emergency worker will feel the full force of the law and be handed a hefty sentence.

“We must be a Government of law and order and focus on the rights of law-abiding citizens and those people trying to protect us.

“I campaigned for an increase in sentencing for emergency workers and I am delighted Government is listening by holding a consultation. Now Government must listen to the public and support our emergency workers by increasing the sentence they can be given so they will know anyone guilty of assault will not be let off with a warning but face two years behind bars.”

The four-week consultation comes as data shows 4,336 people have joined the police as part of plans recruitment an extra 20,000 officers by 2023 – 54 of these new officers are in Cheshire.

Ms McVey added: “People want more police on the streets and this Government is committed to delivering this. As more officers join in the coming months and years, they need to know they will be protected.”

For more information on the consultation visit www.gov.uk