More than 3,200 sick days lost through injuries to officers at West Mercia Police in three years

More than 200 police officers suffered injuries or fractures to their ankles, feet, knees and legs between April 2015 and March this year, both on and off duty.

It comes as it emerged officers in Bridgnorth have been injured twice in two weeks while making arrests.

A top police boss today commended the courage, bravery and dedication of officers and staff and said anyone hurt in the line of duty receives support and supervision.

Figures from West Mercia Police show 64 police officers sustained injuries to their lower limbs in 2017/18, accounting for almost 1,000 sick days lost.

Injuries and fractures to legs, ankles, feet and knees affected 73 officers from the police force in 2016/17, resulting in 1,200 sick days being taken.

A total of 1,089 sick days were taken by 72 injured officers the previous year.

Chief Superintendent Kevin Purcell, policing lead for Shropshire and Telford, said there is support available for police officers and staff who suffer injuries.

He said: "I think it's important to highlight that my officers and staff serving the communities in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin show incredible courage and bravery every time they attend a call from the public and I'm extremely proud of their commitment and dedication.

"Our officers, volunteers and special constables put the needs and welfare of the public before their own on a daily basis and unfortunately this can sometimes lead to them being injured or assaulted themselves. Assaults on police officers and staff will always be investigated with the same care, compassion and commitment as an assault on a member of the public.

"The West Mercia Police victim code applies to all victims and therefore applies to assaults on police officers and staff.

"Officers and staff that are hurt in the line of duty receive ongoing welfare support and supervision from their line managers and senior officers.

"The assaulted officer’s supervisor will meet with them as soon as it is possible and they also have the support from HR colleagues, Police Federation and Unison.

"We also have an ‘Assault on police officers and staff – seven point plan’ which is designed specifically to support any officer or member of staff that is hurt on duty and as soon as an injury to any officer or member of the force is reported this is implemented with immediate effect."

On Saturday officers from a safer neighbourhood team revealed that two of their officers had been injured while making arrests within a fortnight.

In the latest incident, a policeman had to go to hospital with a broken finger.

Bridgnorth police tweeted about the injury, sharing a picture of the PC's X-ray.

In June, a police officer suffered injuries to his knee and elbow while arresting a man outside a school in Shrewsbury.