IT WAS meant to be the season of goodwill but the festive period was one to forget for many police officers in Hampshire.

The level of violence facing officers has become “unacceptable” according to John Apter, the chairman of the Hampshire Police Federation (HPF).

His anger follows news that 16 officers in the county were assaulted in varying degrees of severity over the Christmas period.

Some were kicked, punched and spat at, and in once incident, one officer had to use a Taser stun gun after being threatened with a kitchen knife.

Mr Apter has long campaigned for more debate over the controversial topic of arming beat officers, amid claims that the police are facing ever increasing levels of violence.

He also believes more officers should be issued with Taser stun guns to use during incidents.

He said: “It is only through luck and the availability of a Taser that we have not had an officer killed over Christmas.

“Policing is unpredictable and dangerous but we must not accept that being assaulted is part of the job.

“Thankfully, the 16 officers who were assaulted over Christmas were not seriously injured.

“But this is not the way to police, and our officers deserve better.”