POLICE are running a gauntlet of serious attacks from thugs who have turned the streets of Lancashire into a police assaults blackspot.

The county's 3,220 officers fell victim to eighty five serious assaults in the year 1994/95 - the second worst figures in the country.

There was one assault per day on Lancashire Police Officers and one officer in nine was attacked during the year.

Only West Midlands, with 227 serious assaults, had higher figures than Lancashire.

Figures show the 15,000 assaults in England and Wales last year were 3,000 down on the previous year.

And the introduction of rigid handcuffs, side-handled batons and greater emphasis on personal safety have been hailed as the reason.

Colin Berry, of Lancashire Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said: "These figures are worrying, especially when you think that West Midlands is twice the size of the Lancashire force. "We have been putting a lot of pressure on for proper protection and training for officers.

"Hopefully, the effects of the new equipment which has been introduced in Lancashire will result in an improvement in these figures over the next 12 months.

"I am notified of assaults on officers on a daily basis. Thankfully, most are minor ones.

"But we have to look for support from other agencies as well as police management.

"The Crown Prosecution Service and the courts have to ensure that the people who have assaulted police officers get the proper punishment.

"Quite a number of officers have to retire each year because of injuries sustained while on duty."

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