THREE police officers are assaulted every day in Greater Manchester.

There were 253 attacks in the first three months of this year - and 20 per cent of the victims were women.

The figures are contained in a report to Greater Manchester Police Authority and detail a catalogue of attacks - including 21 head-butts, 47 kicks, 52 punches and 13 bites. Twenty four victims had to take time off sick with their injuries.

Police Federation spokesman Chris Burrows said: "Unfortunately officers are regularly subjected to physical abuse.Broken bones and torn ligaments are relatively common.

"On two occasions officers have lost an eye as a result of being attacked. The impact of something like that on the officers and their families is with them for the rest of their lives."

A number of officers have lost their lives after being attacked on duty.

In 2003, special branch officer Stephen Oake, from Poynton, was stabbed to death by a terrorist at a flat in Crumpsall.

Mr Burrows said: "I am not surprised that a fifth of victims are women. Some of the people we deal with have no respect for gender and don't tend to display gentlemanly behaviour.

"What the statistics show is that no matter how much protective equipment we give our officers they are still liable to be hurt in an attack. Body armour can't protect you from a punch in the face which breaks your nose.

"We are there to help people not to be assaulted and abused."

Police in Wigan fared the worst, with 32 officers attacked during the early part of the year. Thirty officers were assaulted in Salford and 29 in north Manchester.

The majority of victims managed to fend off their attacker using their hands but in 64 cases the attacker was handcuffed and in nine cases CS gas was used. On two occasions officers drew their batons.

Attacks happened most frequently between 10pm and 2am. The majority took place in the street, with 55 in houses, 32 in custody suites, 13 in bars or pubs and five in police vehicles.