4 May 2022

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act : We need more resources so we can reduce the strain on officers

“Harper’s Law will help officers if it is put into practice. The truth is, however, that real help comes in the shape of a fit, healthy and appropriately resourced police service.”

Dorset Police Federation Chair James Dimmack was speaking after The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Act received Royal Assent – meaning the introduction of Harper’s Law and the Police Covenant.

Now Harper’s Law is on the statute book, anyone convicted of killing a police officer or other emergency worker while committing a crime will receive a life sentence. This concludes a long campaign by PC Andrew Harper’s widow Lissie.

Meanwhile the Police Covenant, which aims to provide long-term support and protection for the police family, has also been enshrined in law.

James Dimmack said: “The introduction of the Police Covenant is absolutely a step in the right direction. It is of course appropriate that offenders who assault emergency workers are punished more severely. This, combined with Harper’s Law, will help to redress the balance.

“It is vital that it is recognised what a diverse, complex and ultimately dangerous job we do. Harper’s Law will help if it is put into practice. The truth is, however, that real help comes in the shape of a fit, healthy and appropriately resourced police service.

“We have heard all about ‘uplift’, however this is a long process and frankly it does not rebalance the damage caused by years of under-recruitment.”

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act also doubles the maximum jail term from 12 months to two years for those who assault police or other emergency workers.

In addition, Serious Violence Reduction Orders give officers new stop-and-search powers against known knife offenders. Police will also have more powers to tackle non-violence protests and unauthorised encampments.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Passing the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act is integral to our Beating Crime Plan and delivers on our commitments to back the police, level up the entire country and give everyone the security of a safe street and home.

“This act will support the 20,000 additional police recruits that will be in place this time next year to reduce serious violence, including knife crime and domestic abuse, and make sure the very worst criminals are thrown behind bars for the longest possible time.”

But James said that the 20,000 recruits were just replacing those who were lost during years of austerity cuts by the Government.

He said: “Increased sentencing is great, but we need to shift the balance to providing more resources so we can reduce the strain on officers and provide a better service to the people of Dorset.

“We also need to have fair pay in order to attract the right calibre of people to undertake this great, albeit challenging, vocation. There is also an issue around retaining those core current officers who face more demand and strain on them.

Full details of the Bill can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/boost-for-public-safety-as-four-justice-bills-receive-royal-assent