FIVE police officers have been assaulted in just one day in North Yorkshire.

Deputy chief constable Tim Madgwick tweeted that the attacks were 'just not acceptable, for colleagues doing their job!'

He told The Press that the assaults happened in three separate incidents on Saturday in York, Selby and Scarborough, and female officers as well as male were hurt.

He said it was exceptional for so many officers to be assaulted in one day in North Yorkshire and fortunately none of the five was seriously injured.

However, he wanted the public to know the sort of behaviour his officers were being subjected to while out at work.

He also felt there was currently insufficient sanction in the courts for offenders who, for example, punched or head-butted a police officer in the course of their duties.

While unable to give details of the three incidents, which were still under investigation, he said some related to drugs inquiries.

Special Constable Tom Stirling tweeted that two of those attacked were York special constables, who were assaulted while making an arrest. 

He wrote: "No one comes to work - let alone volunteers, for heaven’s sake! - to be punched in the face and bitten. #unacceptable"

Neither of the special constables are believed to be seriously injured.