THE Chief Constable of Humberside Police has spoken out after 11 officers and staff members were assaulted on duty this weekend.

Chief Constable Lee Freeman said assaults on officers were "by no means a new issue for us", but "it is not acceptable that we should experience such violence whilst doing our job, and we must take a stand against this".

He said: "The levels of violence we’re experiencing can at times be extremely serious, with one of our officers strangled, punched and bitten in the head by a dog this weekend.

"The personal impact on those assaulted should not be underestimated. Police officers and staff are all real people with families. Every one of those injured this weekend is a mother, father, son daughter or grandparent. They are victims of crime the same as anyone is, and their physical and mental wellbeing is affected by such experiences."

Chief Constable Freeman said he thanked officers and staff on the force for their work, and the public who supported his message over the weekend.