POLICE officers were injured in the line of duty on more than 300 occasions in the last three years, it was revealed today.

POLICE officers were injured in the line of duty on more than 300 occasions in the last three years, it was revealed today.

Figures obtained by The Evening Star show that the overwhelming majority of those hurt were police constables, and most were male officers.

During that period, only one officer was killed - Pc Cheryl Lloyd, who died in Ipswich in 2005 when her patrol vehicle crashed after responding to an urgent call.

The statistics, released following a Freedom of Information request, show that the number of injuries suffered on duty has steadily fallen in the last three years, from 133 in 2005/06 to 78 in 2007/08.

The total number of injuries suffered during the last three years is 306.

They range from minor accidents, such as a twisted ankle, to more serious injuries, which could have been caused by an assault.

Today, police stressed that the well-being of officers was paramount.

A force spokesman said: “The health and safety of our officers and staff is a priority for the constabulary.

“Fortunately, we see a relatively low number of officers injured while on duty.

“All police officers are given health and safety training, personal safety and conflict management training, plus protective equipment such as body armour is used to minimise any risk to their safety.

“Any officers who are injured are given the full support of the constabulary's Occupational Health Unit to aid their recovery.”

What do you make of the figures? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008

Female Male Female Male Female Male Total

Inspector 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

Police Sergeant 3 9 1 10 2 15 40

Police Constable 38 78 12 63 14 43 248

Special Constable 2 3 0 8 1 3 17

(Source: Suffolk Constabulary)