IMAGINE going to work every day and not knowing whether someone is going to confront you with a knife, gun or another weapon.

We often take it for granted that our boys and girls in blue can face such volatile situations. In some cases, the police officers have very little protection. But they have to deal with whatever faces them as best they can.

PC Deborah Day was called to a busy Dolphin shopping centre in Poole and while she was there she was asked to assist a security officer who was attempting to deal with a 22-year-old woman.

The woman, who was carrying a knife, then stabbed PC Day in the right knee.

Fortunately, PC Day has made a full recovery and has now returned to work.

And the offender has been jailed for 10 months.

We echo the comments made by Clive Chamberlain, the chairman of the Dorset Police Federation, who said there needs to be a clear deterrent to persuade people not to carry or use knives.