The Prince of Wales paid tribute to Britain's policemen and women in the face of increasing violence on the streets during a visit today to the Police Rehabilitation Centre in Goring.

Prince Charles met trustees, staff and patients and was shown around thecentre, which provides a full range of treatment for officers, including physiotherapy and stress counselling.

Addressing an audience at the centre, including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, the Prince said it was a great pleasure to meet the injured officers and hear their stories.

He said: "It emphasises how much we owe to all our policemen and women in all our towns and cities - they are the thin blue line."

PC Michael Finch, 40, was admitted to the centre today for treatment to his back after being injured when his patrol car was rammed by a stolen vehicle.

He said: "This place is brilliant - it's one of the police's best kept secrets. You can get four physiotherapy sessions a day which is like getting six months' treatment on the NHS in two weeks."