Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has joined the condemnation of assaults on 10 police officers during a weekend of violence in the county.

The officers were assaulted in three separate incidents on Saturday at Trowbridge, Chippenham and Steeple Langford, near Warminster.

Police who have also condemned the violence, said they are very concerned that the majority of the attacks involved teenagers.

In one incident a female officer was punched in the face by a 16-year-old boy.

PCC Wilkinson said he was “thoroughly shocked” by the spate of attacks and warned that people who attack frontline emergency service workers should expect to feel the full force of justice

“Those who put their lives on the line to defend, protect and keep communities safe should not have to face violence, or abuse of any kind, as they carry out their jobs,” he said.

READ MORE: Teenagers arrested after allegedly attacking police at house party

He added: “I am thoroughly shocked and saddened that ten Wiltshire Police officers were assaulted for just doing their jobs in the course of one weekend and I hope they all make a full recovery and return to duty as soon as they are able.

“We are lucky those assaulted escaped serious injury but that shouldn’t detract from the fact this is utterly unacceptable – and the situation could so easily have been different. We all know that one punch can kill in certain circumstances and we must not under-estimate the mental effects of being assaulted, which can be long-lasting.

“I have been clear: any person assaulting an emergency service worker should expect to be prosecuted and feel the full force of the justice system. There’s simply no excuse.”

A total of 10 Wiltshire Police officers were assaulted during the course of their duties in three separate incidents on Saturday night.

At 10.20pm, six officers were assaulted by youths after they responded to reports of a noisy house party in Mill Street, Trowbridge.

A total of five teenagers, three girls and two boys, ranging from 13-16 years old were arrested on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers and are currently in police custody. One of those arrested, a 16-year-old girl, was additionally arrested on suspicion of obstructing police.

The four officers were punched and kicked but not seriously injured.

In an unrelated incident, four officers were assaulted after being called to an incident in The Wir, Steeple Langford at on Saturday night after a member of the public reported that he had been physically assaulted by a woman who had also damaged his car.

Three attending officers were assaulted by the woman as she was arrested and also by a man living at the same address. In addition, one of the attending officers was subject to verbal racial abuse by a 14-year old youth while carrying out his duties.

A 32-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, common assault and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, a 40-year-old man was on suspicion of obstructing a police officer and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of committing a racially aggravated public order offence. They are all currently in police custody.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: A female officer was punched in the face.A female officer was punched in the face.

In a further incident, a Wiltshire officer was assaulted after responding to a number of reports from members of the public who reported a teenager emptying wheelie bins and throwing stones at properties in London Road, Chippenham at 10pm on Saturday.

As the officer approached him, he punched her in the face.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and was further arrested for a Section 5 public order offence. He is currently in police custody.

Superintendent Ben Mant, head of Wiltshire Police’s Public Protection Department, said: “The fact that ten of our officers were physically assaulted whilst carrying out their duties in just one evening is absolutely shocking.

“And that the majority of these assaults were carried out by teenagers is even more concerning.

“Thankfully none of the officers who were assaulted last night suffered serious or long term injury but I wouldn’t want to downplay the seriousness of these incidents in any way - it is utterly unacceptable that they should be subject to this sort of behaviour while they go about their duties to protect our communities and support victims of crime.

“The fact that our officers were attacked in this way is something we take extremely seriously and we shall robustly address.

“I would like to pay tribute to those officers who, despite having been assaulted, were able to continue to carry out their duties in such a professional manner.

“The welfare of our officers, who routinely put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, is a top priority and we will ensure that they receive appropriate support.”