"Our colleagues have every right to go home to their families in one piece."

That's the message from the West Yorkshire Police Federation following what it has described as a "worrying spike" in assaults on police staff.

The body, which represents members of the police service in the county, said 44 West Yorkshire police officers and staff have been assaulted in the past week - including three deliberately hit by vehicles. 

An appalling attack on police officers who were nearly mowed down in the line of duty on Fulford Walk, Fagley, on Sunday was condemned.

Police also revealed a male has been arrested and charged after a police officer was injured in an incident in Shipley.

Masked raiders armed with weapons tried to mow down police

Male charged with assaulting police officer in Shipley

Craig Grandison, Vice Chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, said: "Any assault on a police officer or member of police staff is unacceptable.

"Our colleagues have every right to go home to their families in one piece at the end of a shift. Too many are being attacked. And we have seen a worrying spike in such assaults.

"Officers need the right equipment to keep them safe - and need the courts to impose appropriate punishments when they are assaulted."

The West Yorkshire Police Federation said there had been 37 assaults on police officers, five on PCSOs, with four being kicked and one being deliberately hit by a vehicle, and two on detention officers who were both spat at. 

Attacks on police officers included three being bitten, one head-butted, eight punched, two hit by vehicles, 13 kicked and six spat at. 

Mr Grandison added: "I would also like to make a plea for our police officer colleagues to continue to report all assaults and to ensure that they notify the federation via the Force IOD System when they are assaulted.

"This allows us to highlight the issue and put support in place for those that have been subjected to assaults."

The Protect the Protectors bill recently received royal assent and means tougher sentences for those who assault people who work in the emergency services.