POLICE have warned that they will not tolerate attacks on officers after three from the same station were hurt in one 12-hour spell.

The most serious incident involved 28-year-old PC Vicki Harrison, who suffered a suspected broken arm after an incident involving two women outside the Co-op store, in Crook.

PC Harrison ran the few yards from the town's police station to the scene and arrested one of the women, while colleagues detained the other.

Both women have since been charged with affray and resisting arrest. They were bailed to appear before magistrates on Friday. PC Harrison is on sick leave.

Earlier that afternoon, a male officer sustained leg and back injuries while arresting a drugs suspect at Tow Law.

There was more violence on Monday night, when three men were taken into custody after an incident at a house in Crook.

One policeman needed hospital treatment for bruising, but was fit enough to carry on working.

Crook's new station chief, Inspector George Ledger, said yesterday: "We won't stand for this. Although the other two officers were not badly hurt, PC Harrison's injury was serious.

"Although we don't get many days as bad as this, these sort of incidents are becoming more prevalent and we can't let it go on."

In Durham as a whole, new protective equipment has helped to cut the number of officers injured on duty.

Between April and December last year, 222 police officers were assaulted and there were 134 working days lost.

Police say that CS sprays, in particular, have a calming effect and can prevent trouble from starting, while the Asp, or extended baton, is another deterrent.

A police spokesman said: "In terms of the number of days lost, the trend has been down, largely because of the introduction of a high level of safety in officers' equipment.

"Although CS spray does not stop officers being assaulted, the level of injuries is less because the attacker would be debilitated."