22 June 2020

Federation chair Anna Harvey slams rise in assaults on emergency workers as absolutely disgraceful

Dorset Police Federation has hit out at the “absolutely disgraceful” increase in attacks on officers after it emerged that assaults on emergency service workers have risen by almost a quarter.

Provisional data from police forces in England and Wales showed that assaults saw a 24 per cent rise in the four weeks to 7 June. The National Police Chiefs’ Council said the increase may be driven by assaults during protests and suspects spitting on officers while claiming to be infected with Covid-19.

Anna Harvey, Dorset Police Federation Chair, said: “The rise in assaults on our members during the pandemic is absolutely disgraceful. When officers are trying to protect the public and the vulnerable they have been subjected to violence and sustained injuries. It saddens me when I reflect on how this affects the person wearing the uniform and their loved ones. We have listened to many of these officers explaining the personal impact on them and the effect on their well-being, to the extent that some are considering other career choices.”

The Home Secretary is due to unveil plans that will double the sentences for offenders who assault emergency workers to two years.

Priti Patel told The Daily Telegraph: “The Justice Secretary and I are determined to get justice for emergency service workers who are assaulted while on the job, so in the next few weeks we will launch a consultation on doubling the maximum sentence for assaulting an emergency worker to make these thugs think twice.”

Anna added: “I am encouraged by the words of the Home Secretary. However sentencing guidelines restrict judges and therefore this will continue to be a stumbling block until these are reviewed.

“Unfortunately some offenders are intent on causing injury and whether harsher sentences will actually have an impact, we will have to wait and see. What we need is the right equipment and a rise police numbers patrolling our communities to keep not only the public safe but also the brave women and men who choose to put themselves in harm’s way to protect others. We are working with the force to encourage officers to take the opportunity to become Taser trained as this will go some way to help them to deal with violent individuals.”