THE 693 assaults on Fife police officers in the last two years are "absolutely shocking" and Scottish Conservatives want tougher action against the perpetrators.

Councillor Mino Manekshaw, who represents the West Fife Villages ward, and MSP Murdo Fraser said frontline emergency workers must be better protected and those who attack them should face jail.

Figures obtained by the Tories through a Freedom of Information request show there were 341 assaults on police officers in the Kingdom in 2019-20 and another 352 in 2020-21 – a rate of almost one a day.

Cllr Manekshaw said: “To be honest, while the figures are shocking, sad to say, they are hardly surprising and the blame for the situation can only be laid firmly at the door of the SNP government – a government in Scotland that has for its own narrow political aims, elected to treat criminal behaviour as some pitiful impact of adversity rather than a lifestyle choice.

“The end result is that we now live in a society that fails to promote or cultivate respect for any of its institutions and so the end result is that the police, who are in the frontline, must bear the brunt of it on our behalf.”

He added: “Rudi Giuliani (former mayor) turned New York's criminality around with his ‘three strikes and you're out!’ mantra.

"However, I think the SNP has misunderstood this in Scotland. It seems that it's three strikes and you're out – of jail!”

Mr Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, added: “These figures are absolutely shocking.

"Police officers should not have to put up with being assaulted by some people while carrying out their duties.

“There seems to be a trend that has set in where we see many of our emergency services subjected to this kind of appalling behaviour and it must be called out.

"The Scottish Conservatives have made it clear that attacks on frontline staff should not be tolerated and that those caught doing so could face jail for up to two years.

“It is time the SNP Government took notice of this kind of behaviour and make sure that they act on it.”

Under Scots law, the maximum penalty for assault is limited only by the court in which the case is heard, with the most serious cases tried in the high court where the guilty can face penalties up to and including life imprisonment.

The Emergency Workers Act, which was not supported by the Tories when it was going through the Scottish Parliament as one MSP described it as "muddled" and "bad legislation", introduced a specific offence to assault, obstruct or hinder an emergency worker, including a police officer.

The maximum penalty is 12 months' imprisonment, a £10,000 fine or both.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “No-one should be the victim of abuse or violence while at work.

"Assaults on police officers are despicable and the Scottish Government fully supports courts having their current extensive powers to deal robustly with perpetrators.

“We continue to encourage all organisations to support staff who experience violence in the workplace, including reporting incidents to the police for action to be taken.”