Police Scotland has condemned a series of violent attacks on officers during a weekend of disorder, with several requiring hospital treatment as they responded to incidents across the country.
The force says the assaults highlight the dangers faced by officers carrying out their duties, with its latest performance figures revealing an average of 21 police officers are assaulted every day while on duty.
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs has described the violence as shameful and cowardly, stressing that being attacked should never be regarded as an acceptable part of policing.
The incidents took place on Saturday 7 November, with officers injured during disturbances, a vehicle stop and an attack involving a passenger on a bus.
Three officers were assaulted during a disturbance involving violent disorder in the vicinity of Congress Road, with two requiring hospital treatment.
Two men, aged 32 and 27, were arrested and charged with offences including police assault, obstructing police and threatening and abusive behaviour.
Both men will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
A further three men were arrested and issued with recorded police warnings for threatening and abusive behaviour and breach of the peace.
Police are continuing extensive enquiries, including examining CCTV footage, and say further arrests are expected.
Anyone with information about the disturbance is being asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.
In a separate incident in Midlothian, an officer was injured after being struck by a driver during a vehicle stop at around 8.15am on Saturday.
The officer was one of three attending the incident and required hospital treatment following the assault.
A 23 year old man was arrested and charged and was expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday 9 November.
Elsewhere in Edinburgh, officers responding to reports of a disturbance on a bus were violently attacked, leaving two requiring treatment from paramedics at the scene.
A 38 year old man was arrested and charged in connection with the incident and was also due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.
Responding to the weekend’s events, Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said:
“This weekend we saw a catalogue of violent incidents across Scotland, with officers being injured, assaulted and requiring hospital treatment as they attended calls during their shifts.
“These acts against our officers is shameful and cowardly. Not one of those officers left their home and families to go to work and expected to become a victim of assault. Being assaulted is simply not part of being a police officer.
“Our latest performance figures show that every day on average 21 officers are assaulted on duty.
“We are seeing a difference due to the actions to reduce the impact of violence towards officers as part of our Your Safety Matters programme and the introduction of Body Worn Video.
“However, assaulting our officers is simply unacceptable.
“We place the highest priority on the safety and wellbeing of our officers and anyone who has been assaulted is encouraged to make use of the support which is available.”
Police Scotland says its Your Safety Matters programme and the introduction of body worn video are helping address violence against officers.
The force continues to emphasise the importance of supporting officers who experience violence while carrying out their responsibilities.
Behind the statistics are police officers responding to calls for assistance, dealing with difficult situations and protecting members of the public.
The latest incidents serve as a reminder that those tasked with keeping communities safe must also be able to carry out their duties without becoming victims of violence themselves.
