29 December 2021

#ProtectTheProtectors: Government statistics about officer assaults an abhorrent read

Government statistics – published this month - show in the last financial year 22,421 police officers were injured through 'an intentional or unintentional assault' while keeping the public safe.

On 391,202 occasions, police officers needed to use force to protect themselves.

James Dimmack, Chair of Dorset Police Federation, said: “These statistics are abhorrent to read. The fact that seemingly some quarters of society feel it is acceptable to assault emergency service workers is unpalatable.

“Moreover the notion that this comes as part of the job is simply not acceptable.

“We deal with a plethora of diverse situations. Some of which present clear and present danger. Rightly we must face this and deal with it but within that, we must be provided the appropriate equipment, support and training.

“Furthermore we need to be supported by the criminal justice system through robust sentencing. Officers need backing when they have to use force appropriately.”