Nine police officers were assaulted over one weekend in Dumfries and Galloway.
Chief Superintendent Carol McGuire has condemned the violence which included officers being punched, kicked and spat at.
Each of the nine cops were assaulted at separate incidents with seven of them injured as a result of attacks over the weekend of August 14-15.
Chief Supt McGuire said: “Officers and staff work with dedication and commitment to helping people and violence and abuse against them is not simply part of the job.
“It causes physical and psychological harm and tackling this concerning trend of increasing assaults is a priority for Police Scotland.
“Arrests have been made in connection with the incidents and the officers who were assaulted are being supported. Additional officers will be deployed at key locations across Dumfries and Galloway this weekend.”
In 2020 there were 187 assaults on police officers in the region – an average of more than three a week.
The Scottish Police Federation, which represent officers, criticised the number of attacks on their members but say there isn’t a big enough deterrent at court.
Lorna Cunningham, the federation’s west area chairperson, said: “The levels of assaults on police officers are far too high whilst the number of cases against those who carry out these assaults proceeding to court are too few.
“Despite receiving backing from the Lord Advocate and the then Cabinet Secretary for Justice, the Chief Constable’s Assault Pledge does not appear to have the support of the wider criminal justice system.”
