NEARLY 40 police officers were attacked on duty in Devon and Cornwall last month, figures have revealed.

Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg last week backed calls for automatic prison sentences for anyone assaulting officers.

‘Our judicial system must do more to protect the police,’ he said after statistics showed 36 officers were on the receiving end of violence in the line of duty.

He added: ‘We need to send out the strongest possible message that this won’t be tolerated.

‘Anyone who assaults an officer should be under no illusion that they face an immediate custodial sentence.’