POLICE chiefs in Dorset say cop killers should be jailed for life in the wake of the fatal stabbing of PC Jon Henry on Monday.

The police officer was responding to a 999 call in Luton town centre when he was stabbed to death in a scuffle in which two members of the public were also knifed.

The tragic death of PC Henry, who was wearing a stabproof vest at the time of the incident, has again raised the issue of how to better protect officers battling on the front line against crime.

Police chiefs in Dorset insist there needs to be tougher prison sentences for offenders who assault officers, and "life should mean life" for those convicted of murdering policemen or women in the line of duty.

Chairman of the Dorset Police Federation Clive Chamberlain, said: "Anyone thinking about stabbing or shooting a police officer should know that if they are convicted they will go to prison and they won't come out again."

Vice-chairman of the Dorset Police Authority John Lofts added: "My own suggestion is that at the minimum we should lock them up for ever and throw away the key."

Assistant Chief Constable for Dorset Adrian Whiting explained how, in line with national guidelines, police officers in the county are issued with ballistic and stab resistant body armour as well as CS spray canisters, quick cuffs and batons.

But Mr Whiting said he would like to see more officers out on patrol issued with Taser stun guns, which are currently reserved for firearms officers.

In a nation-wide survey last year the vast majority of police officers said they were not in favour of carrying firearms.

But the non-lethal Taser, which fires two barbed probes around 35ft and disables its target with pulses of around 50,000 volts, could be a more popular alternative.

"Ten forces are trialling the wider use of Tasers, which I'm very much in support of," Mr Whiting said.

"It is vital that we improve the level of protection available to patrolling officers.

"Also we are always asking that when sentencing is being considered those whose job it is to sentence take into account the particular problems police officers face."