IT is with regret that we report on another attack on a police officer in Basingstoke.

PC Vikki Sharpe was attacked for 15 minutes on the hard shoulder of the M3 motorway by 47-year-old Innocent Fowung.

He attacked her when she tried to arrest him for dangerous driving, before getting back into his car and reversing it into her police car, flinging her to the ground.

PC Sharpe was off work for three months after the attack, with injuries to her hand, ribs, back and shoulder.

Readers will remember that this is not the first female police officer to be attacked in Basingstoke in the past 12 months.

In July last year, an arrested man attacked Sergeant Kerry Lawrence by banging her head against the ground several times before back up arrived.

The shocking attack was captured on Sgt Lawrence’s body worn video, and the attack made national headlines.

How many more times must we see attacks on Hampshire Constabulary’s officers, part of whose mission is to protect the public and reduce crime?

Fowung was jailed for 22 months for assault and dangerous driving.

The Gazette can only echo the words of John Apter, chairman of the Hampshire Police Federation, who spoke after the sentence hearing at Winchester Crown Court.

He said: “PC Sharpe displayed courage, tenacity and commitment to duty in what was a prolonged and cowardly attack by Mr Fowung.

“Police officers perform a difficult and dangerous job, I hope the prison sentence handed down acts as a reminder that it is never acceptable for an officer to be assaulted.”