THE MAN representing Hampshire police’s rank and file is on a mission to ensure strong action is taken against those who assault officers.

As part of that challenge, John Apter, chairman of the Hampshire Police Federation, will be working with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) this week in a bid to cement a good working relationship on the issue.

It comes after Mr Apter called for tougher action on those who have assaulted police officers, urging that they should be treated as victims of crime, determined to stamp out any perception that the attacks are “part of the job”.

As previously reported, he highlighted how nine officers were assaulted during a string of violent incidents across the county over one weekend earlier this month.

In one of the incidents, an officer ended up being taken to hospital with concussion as a result of an attack.

It came just weeks after, Mr Apter released a photograph of a bloodied police vest following an attack on an un-named officer who was on duty in Winchester.

The officer was head butted, causing him an injury that has left him with a permanent scar.

The thug responsible was convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm and sentenced to 122 days in prison - a sentence which Mr Apter criticised for not reflecting the seriousness of the assault.

But on Tuesday Mr Apter, pictured below, will be working alongside the CPS when he speaks at the Police Federation of England and Wales Conference in Bournemouth on the issue of assaults, in the hope of building better relationships with the CPS.

Daily Echo: John Apter, chairman of Hampshire Police Federation.

Ahead of that conference he said: “Building up a good relationship with the local CPS is really important and we have since seen some good work between the CPS and the constabulary.

“When officers don't feel they have had a good experience with the CPS or with the constabulary and the way they investigate things, the way to combat it is not just to rant but to speak to them.”

He added: “I always feel if an officer is assaulted strong action should be taken. But sometimes we can do more too. What I say to officers is 'as a victim you are entitled to an explanation and review if a decision doesn't go how you would want it to go’.

“Sometimes officers don't think of themselves as victims but they are.”