COP TASERS PLEA AS ATTACKS SOAR

Rising assaults in nearly all areas

- BY MARY WRIGHT

MORE than 7300 frontline cops and staff were assaulted in the line of duty in a year - an average of 22 every day.

Police Scotland data shows that 7356 officers and staff were assaulted in the 12 months to June, up eight per cent in a year.

More than a quarter (25.2 per cent) suffered injuries, with many said to experience "lasting physical and mental" consequences.

Data shows that between April and June, 2002 officer and staff attacks were recorded, 183 more than the same period last year.

The force said rising numbers of attacks took place in 11 of the 13 local policing divisions, with only Highlands & Islands and Dumfries & Galloway showing a drop in numbers.