TWENTY Suffolk police officers were injured on training exercises within six months, new figures have revealed.The figures, released in a report to Suffolk constabulary revealed a rise in the number of accidents between April and September this year, including five people being bitten by animals.

TWENTY Suffolk police officers were injured on training exercises within six months, new figures have revealed.

The figures, released in a report to Suffolk constabulary revealed a rise in the number of accidents between April and September this year, including five people being bitten by animals.

However the same report shows the total number of sick days taken by officers in the first half of the financial year fell compared to the same period last year.

Officers took an average of 5.3 days sick leave during the six-month period compared to an average of 5.96 in the period during the financial year 2006-2007.

The report, by the authority's human resources and staff liaison committee, said: “The constabulary's performance remains very good particularly in terms of management of sickness absence, however work continues with the aim of securing further improvements and a bid has been submitted in next year's budget round to secure increased funding of occupational health and related strategic initiatives.”

A rise in the number of work-related accidents between the first and second quarter of the financial year, from 84 to 106, could be down to changes in the way accidents are reported, the report said.

Of the five officers who reported being injured after being bitten by animals, one was classed as a serious accident requiring more than three days' absence.

None of the animal bite injuries were caused by police dogs.

Police director of human resources, Rob Allan, said: "Suffolk Constabulary values the health, safety and welfare of it's serving police officers and staff very highly.

“All front line officers and staff receive regular training to prepare them for their duties.

“The Constabulary has, for a number of years, consistently been ranked amongst the best performing forces in the country when it comes to managing sickness absence and the figures for the first two quarters of the current financial year, show that this trend is continuing."

Trips and falls accounted for 33 of the total of 190 accidents, two of which were serious.

And a total of 49 injuries were sustained while officers dealt with people resisting arrest, five seriously.

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