The number of assaults on Metropolitan Police officers rose by 37 per cent in the past three months, new figures show.
Data released by the UK's largest police force on Wednesday showed 2,027 assaults were recorded between May and July, compared with 1,475 in the same period in 2019.
The rise was reported as officers continued to work throughout the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Force leaders told PA Media they believe the rise has been fuelled in part by coughing and spitting attacks linked to the virus.
There have been repeated reports of suspects spitting or coughing at officers attempting to make arrests.
The rise in assault numbers has also been caused by scuffles during protests and operations to shut down unlicensed music events.
New data also shows that in the 12 months from August 2019, 6,668 officers were attacked - a 16 per cent rise on the previous year - with a rise in the monthly number of assaults.
Of the officers assaulted, 42 per cent were injured.
Chief Inspector Dave Brewster, who leads the Met's Operation Hampshire which focuses on officer assaults, said: "It is clear that assaults on police officers and staff are increasing year on year and the impact this has on our profession cannot and should not be underestimated.
"Assaults should never be seen as 'part of the job' and officers should be able to go about their work without fear of abuse or attack."
The latest reported assault saw an officer thrown against a wall and knocked out as he tried to make an arrest in Hackney, north-east London, on Tuesday.
A man was throwing glasses and hurling abuse in a pub on Mare Street shortly before 5pm and shoved the officer into a wall.
He was taken to hospital for treatment of a cut to his head. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
A 46-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and assaulting a police officer.
Agencies contributed to this report.
