GWENT Police paid out almost £50,000 in personal injury claims to staff over the past three years.

A total of 20 claims were made between April 2007 and March 2010, according to information released under the Freedom of Information Act.

In 2007/2008, a total of £34,565.80 was paid out, £7,618 for a shoulder injury, £6,815.80 for insect bites, £10,667 for a back injury, £2,250 for a head injury, £5,105 for another head injury, £1,000 for a chest injury and £1,100 for burn injuries. A further claim for stress was denied.

Claims in 2008/2009 amounted to £10,906.50 with £10,187.50 for a dog bite, a £369 for a head injury and £350 for stress. One claim for a leg injury was denied and six out of seven claims made during the year are ongoing.

A total of £4,166.50 was paid out in 2009/2010 for a head injury, with the other three claims made during the year, for a foot injury, back injury and wrist injury, ongoing.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said that as the majority of the claims were ongoing, the force could not speculate over trends and the figures listed may not be the final payout figures.