POLICE have warned that they will use CS gas to control the spiralling number of violent attacks on officers in Blackburn town centre.

The warning has come after community beat officer PC Alice Martin was injured whilst on duty for the second time in three weeks .

PC Martin is on sick leave and is recovering at home following the latest incident, outside Blackburn Magistrates' Court last Wednesday.

Officers throughout the county are currently being trained in the use of CS gas as the force prepares for its introduction. And police have said the defence aid will help prevent such attacks happening in the future.

Inspector Stuart Coates from Blackburn Police vowed that he would no longer tolerate the rising incidence of attacks on his officers and warned that offenders would face prosecution.

He said: "This is a growing problem. We realise this is part of police duty to tackle these offenders but people willing to use violence on police officers is a cause for concern and we intend to do something about it. We will prosecute offenders."

Sergeant John Rigby said: "CS gas will help with dealing with violent prisoners in these situations. Attacks on police officers are a laugh and joke to some people."

But he added: "It is marvellous to see that in these situations, some members of the public come to the assistance of police officers."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.