A CAMPAIGNER has called for longer sentences for those who assault frontline emergency service workers after two police officers were attacked at the weekend.

Dorset Police Federation chair Tony Tester spoke out after Sergeant Simon Kempton and a female colleague with just a year of experience were injured by a suspected drunk driver.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the offender attempted to gouge Sgt Kempton's eyes with his thumbs before punching the officer's colleague in the face on the A35 near Morden Park Corner on Saturday night.

PC Tester said: "We are trying to get the law changed around sentencing for people who assault emergency services workers.

"It's just not acceptable to hear of things like this."

The Police Federation's Protect the Protectors campaign aims to see tougher sentences imposed, as well as better training and access to equipment including Tasers for officers.

PC Tester said: "Officers are having to wait longer for backup these days due to a lack of resources, and that's the sort of thing that leads to more injuries.

"We are very, very thin on the ground."

Sgt Kempton called for back-up in the moments before being attacked. Officers arrived at the scene around 10 minutes later.

"People get angry waiting in a supermarket queue for 10 minutes," PC Tester said.

"It would have felt like an extremely long time.

"For the officers trying to get to Sgt Kempton and his colleague as quickly as they possibly can, that would have been very difficult too."

Officers arriving as back-up warned the offender they had Tasers. He then surrendered.

Police and crime commissioner Martyn Underhill recently announced that more Dorset officers will receive Taser training, bringing the total number up to 250.

"All frontline officers should be able to go through Taser training if they chose to," PC Tester said.

Mr Underhill said: "Taser is a fantastic tool to have in the police arsenal and can be hugely beneficial to officer and public safety in violent situations.

“Taser is designed to stand out, being yellow and black, allowing the officer to deter the suspected offender from any continuation or escalation of their behaviour.

"The sight of a Taser alone, even without it being deployed, can help an officer to bring an incident to a safe conclusion for themselves and the public."

Both Sgt Kempton and his colleague were treated at A&E for their injuries, and have since returned to work.

A 40-year-old man from Bristol has since appeared in court and been sent to jail.