ATTACKING police should be treated as a hate crime to tackle a surge in violence, Hampshire's chief union rep has said.

Hampshire Police Federation has demanded action as shocking new figures show three officers are attacked every day in the county.

There were 1,118 physical and verbal assaults last year, with officers facing punches, kicks and eye gouging just this weekend.

Calls are growing for the county's "punch bag" police to have better protection.

Federation chairman John Apter says assaulting an officer should be classed as a hate crime, a term currently reserved for attacks based on race, religion or sexuality.

"They are not society's punch bags and they deserve the support of Government and the wider judicial system," he said.

"If people are attacking a group of individuals just because of the job they do, I think the courts and sentencing guidelines should reflect that."

Releasing the statistics yesterday, Mr Apter said anyone who attacks a public official should be sent to prison, calling for more police to be armed with Tasers.

“It is important the public see the reality of policing and the level of violence used against our officers on a daily basis," he said. “Police officers perform a difficult and dangerous job on behalf of the public. Being assaulted is not just part of the job and must never be seen as such.

"If people specifically target police officers, I think that should be looked at as a hate crime."

Attacks on police have risen by 21 per cent since 2013/14 despite cuts to police patrolling the streets..

Officers were injured in more than a quarter of incidents. Three of those hurt this weekend required hospital treatment.

Mr Apter added that hate crime laws should be extended to all 999 crews, such as paramedics and firefighters.

“I have no doubt that part of the reason some see assaulting a police officer as being acceptable is because of the lenient sentences often imposed by the courts," he said. "I want to see mandatory prison sentences for anybody who assaults a public official. There must be a consequence for those intent on assaulting police officers or any other public worker."

Mr Apter said the increase in reports is partly down to better recording techniques - but he believes violence is on the rise.

Hampshire Police Federation has spent two years raising awareness of the issue across the country, enlisting 40 other forces in improving their records of attacks. The Metropolitan Police's initiative is dubbed "Operation Hampshire" in recognition of the county's role.

The Crown Prosecution Service is understood to be reviewing its handling of assaults on police but was unable to provide comment last night.