Chair Speaks Out On Violent Assaults On Police Officers

13 February 2026

The impact of violent assaults on police officers does not end when physical injuries are gone, and those convicted of such crimes should be put behind bars.

Lauren Somerville, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, described assaults on police officers as becoming an “appalling normality”.

She was speaking after body worn video footage showed a Cleveland officer being punched, pinned down and strangled while making an arrest.

Lauren said: “While it has been reported that the officer suffered no lasting physical injuries, this couldn’t be further from the truth. We know that the impact of violence does not end when the physical injuries are gone.

“We are learning more and more about the cumulative effect, that ‘drip, drip, drip’ trauma of the repeated abuse and assaults on officers. Imagine going home after work and telling your loved ones, when they ask you how your day was, that you were attacked and strangled. 

“The trauma is forced into our personal lives and leaves a trace wherever it lands. It leaves loved ones feeling anxious and worried when you’re at work, and creates a strain that is all too familiar for some families. 

“The reality is much more than ‘part of the job’. Officers understand they will face abuse, assaults and life-threatening situations. What they should not have to accept is violence becoming routine, but it has become an appalling normality.

“Criminals who assault police officers must face meaningful custodial sentences. And when compensation is awarded, it should reflect the seriousness of the offence. Token payments that stretch over months do little to provide closure and can serve as an unwelcome reminder of the attack.

“There is support within the force, which is working hard to improve all the time. We must continue to understand the true scale of the problem, reduce the risks, and ensure officers are properly protected both physically and psychologically.”

In this incident, a man was sent to prison for the attack on the Cleveland officer. Craig Thompson, 46, was jailed for 20 months after being found guilty of burglary, assaulting an emergency worker and strangulation.