Reports of violent attacks on public officers rose by 75 per cent in four years, according to the Malta Police Association.

The association yesterday reiterated claims made in recent months that violent incidents on policemen were increasing at an “alarming” rate.

It added that the Government should enforce harsher penalties for such crimes, noting that police officers were being demotivated because they felt unprotected.

Officers were not insured, despite requests it had been making since 2004, the association said.

According to its data, in 2007 there were 117 official reports of violence on public officials, including policemen. Although the number of reports fell from 181 in 2009, to 168 in 2010, this rose again to 208 last year.