Figures revealing that on average, 115 police officers and staff are being assaulted every day have been described as ‘disgusting’ and  ‘utterly intolerable’ by branch chair Lisa Flanagan.

Lisa’s comments follow the latest Police Covenant report, which has highlighted the profound impact assaults can have on officers and staff, causing not only immediate physical injuries but also long-term psychological harm.

Describing the situation as ‘simply not acceptable’, Lisa is calling for urgent action to protect those who serve the public.

Lisa said: “Every one of these assaults represents a colleague who has chosen to serve their community, and yet is met with violence while doing so. 

Assaults

“But they’re more than just colleagues - they are fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, brothers and sisters. An assault doesn’t just impact them, it can severely affect their loved ones, too.

“The scale of this issue is shocking, and it is not acceptable in any circumstances. Those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public deserve our full support and protection.

“I think the issue extends beyond assaults - we must look at the sentences for those who assault officers. It’s unacceptable that offenders are walking away from court with minimal sentences."

The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 doubled the maximum prison sentence for such assaults from 12 months to two years.

“The punishment must reflect the crime, and judges must use their powers to ensure offenders receive a suitable sentence. This will help to deter other potential offenders, too," continued Lisa.

The Police Covenant, launched in 2022, is the Government’s commitment to recognising and supporting the service and sacrifice of police officers, staff, and their families in England and Wales. 

Wellbeing

It focuses on health and wellbeing, physical protection and family support, bringing together representatives from multiple policing bodies, including the Police Federation.

In its latest report, the Covenant has highlighted assaults on officers as a priority, a move welcomed by Lisa as an important step in acknowledging the daily challenges faced by the workforce. 

She emphasised that national recognition is essential to drive meaningful change and ensure the safety and wellbeing of police personnel.

Efforts to address the issue are ongoing under Operation Hampshire, which requires every force to:

• Take executive-level ownership of assault prevention and response

• Deliver the seven-point plan for tackling assaults

• Collect and analyse accurate data to understand the true scale of the problem

Recent initiatives include the introduction of the Police Assaults & Injuries Reporting App, which enables officers and staff to report incidents more easily and provides forces with near-real-time data.

Support

This improved reporting is already helping forces to understand the circumstances of assaults better and to plan more effective prevention and support measures.

HMICFRS inspections now assess how well forces manage and respond to assaults, including the support provided to victims and the preventative measures in place. 

Meanwhile, work continues to ensure that all relevant assault-related data is included in national reporting requirements, striking a balance between comprehensive monitoring and reducing administrative burdens on officers.

Lisa concluded: “I am pleased to see assaults against officers being prioritised nationally. 

“Accurate data, swift justice, and clear support for those affected are key to tackling this issue. Violence against our workforce cannot and will not be tolerated, and we must ensure that every officer and staff member is protected while doing their vital work.”

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