THE NUMBER of assaults on police officers in Tayside has been cut in half over the past decade, according to figures released by the Scottish Executive.

The trend was welcomed last night—but came with a warning that any attack on an officer was “one too many” and that those involved would always be reported to the procurator fiscal.

It comes at a time when there is a particular focus on the protection of emergency service workers, with new legislation providing stiffer penalties for culprits.

Officers have also benefited over the period from an array of new protective equipment for dealing with potential flashpoints—most notably CS spray.

Annual returns from the police showed there were 168 assaults on Tayside officers in 2004/05, the lowest figure of the six forces that provided statistics.

Although that represented a slight rise on the previous year, the long-term trend has been a decline from the 322 incidents in 1995/96.

A spokesperson for Tayside police said last night, “Any assault on a police officer is one too many, and anyone who assaults a police officer will always be reported to the procurator fiscal.

“However, it is encouraging to see the number of assaults on police officers following a downward trend.

“Every police officer is now issued with a stab-proof vest, CS spray, an Asp baton and cuffs, and we are always looking at new ways of enhancing officer safety.”

The statistics for Fife were less encouraging, with attacks on officers increasing by more than 50% over the same 10-year period.

While there were 233 incidents recorded in 1995/96 and the same number the following year, officers found themselves the victims of attacks on 356 occasions last year.

Scotland-wide statistics were not available because two forces—Grampian and Strathclyde—did not provide figures.

The Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers across the country, has long insisted that assaults should not be a “hazard of the job” for its members.