ASSAULTS against on-duty police officers nearly hit the 500-mark last year, figures have revealed.

The worrying upward trend is continuing this year with the tally already well over 400.

Such ‘unacceptable’ levels of violence directed at them and paramedics and ­firefighters has prompted all three emergency services to unite in condemning the growing tally of incidents.

They are regularly subjected to attacks from those they are trying to help – with offences ranging from verbal abuse and spitting to biting and sexual assault.

Last year in Devon and Cornwall 492 police officers and staff were assaulted on duty, including more than 60 cases of actually bodily harm.

So far in 2017, some 416 police officers and staff have been assaulted, five leading to grievous bodily harm levels of injuries.

Supt Ian Drummond-Smith said: ‘It is completely unacceptable that officers and staff from the police and other blue light services are being assaulted, bitten, kicked at and verbally abused whilst on duty.

‘Devon and Cornwall Police, alone, have seen 2,009 days lost to police officers unable to work on the frontline as a result of being assaulted in the previous three years. This equates to around £1 million in salary costs.’

He added: ‘We are increasing the number of officers in Devon and Cornwall who carry a Taser to 1,200, around 85 per cent of the frontline, but training these officers takes around two years.

‘We would also seek more robust sentences upon conviction for any assault on a public servant, whether that be a police officer, nurse, paramedic or firefighter; these people dedicate their lives to help the community and should not be subject to abuse.’

Last year South Western Ambulance staff were on the receiving end of more than 140 assaults.

David Partlow, consultant paramedic from the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Every member of Trust staff plays a vital role in serving the community by helping to deliver the right care in the right place at the right time - and staff should be able to fulfil their life-saving role without fear of abuse or assault.’

A spokesperson for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said: ‘Assaults on emergency services staff not only put them at risk but could also have an impact on members of the public in need of our help. We do not tolerate the kind of behaviour and work closely with the police to ensure anyone committing a crime of this nature is prosecuted.’

In 2016, more than 330 incidents of violence and aggression were reported by staff at Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, including verbal and racial abuse, threatening behaviour and physical assaults.

Darryn Allcorn, director of nursing, quality and workforce said: ‘Our staff have a right to work in an environment free from harassment, bullying or from the threat of violence, which can have a very negative effect on their own health. Our staff are there to look after patients and their families, and so we expect them to be treated with respect.’