The full powers of #ProtectTheProtectors Bill need to be used

11 March 2020

Essex Police Federation is calling on the criminal justice system to use the powers it’s been given by the Protect the Protectors Bill.

New Ministry of Justice stats show that people who are convicted of assaulting emergency services workers are spending less than 12 weeks on average behind bars.

That’s despite the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018, the so-called Protect the Protectors Bill, allowing sentences of up to a year to be handed down.

Most convictions are also being dealt with by fines, the figures revealed – in fact nine out of ten of those charged under the Bill walk free from court.

Steve Taylor, Chairman of Essex Police Federation, says something is going wrong in the system.

“We’ve lobbied for a change in legislation. It was watered down, but we got it. We now have to concentrate on other partners in the criminal justice system, helping us deliver for the benefit of our members,” he said.

Hopes were high the Bill would usher in a new era of assault deterring legislation sending out the message that it’s not okay to assault officers and emergency service workers.

“We did have high hopes, particularly when in the first instance we lobbied for more legislation,” Steve said.

“We lobbied for higher terms, and it didn’t happen. We could say ‘well, I told you so’, but at the end of the day I’m not entirely sure how that helps our members either.

“Let’s put our focus instead on the criminal justice system delivering for our members.

“It’s right that we continue to look at it. It’s an important piece of work that deserves our attention and is something we have to continue doing.”