Federation Outlines Need to Better Protect The Protectors

19 March 2026

The new Taser 10 and other advancements in police equipment are “not just welcome, they are necessary” the Chair of Gloucestershire Police Federation has said, as assaults on officers continue to rise.

Today the BBC published figures showing that more than 100 officers a day are assaulted in England and Wales. In the year ending March 2025, there were 47,522 assaults recorded against police officers, about a quarter of which resulted in the officer being injured.

The BBC also revealed there were 14,768 convictions for Assault Against an Emergency Services Worker in the year to June 2025, a 12% increase in two years.

Gloucestershire Police Federation Chair Adam Williams said that the new Taser 10, which can fire up to 10 single-shot cartridges without reloading and operates at a range of up to 45ft, will give officers more protection, as will Axon Body 4 cameras.

He said: “The level of violence faced by frontline colleagues is increasing at an alarming rate. Like many officers, I have been assaulted numerous times during my service – punched, kicked and spat at. While I have been fortunate that most incidents resulted in only minor injuries, the trend is clear that the risks our officers face continue to grow.

“I have recently assisted a colleague who suffered a nasty bite on his thigh while trying to detain an extremely violent man. The impact these assaults have on officers is significant and can be long-lasting.” Adam added that officers were often subjected to ‘trial by social media’, where members of the public film incidents and call them ‘police brutality’, instead of assisting officers when they are being assaulted.

He continued: “This is not a new problem, but the scale and frequency of assaults is escalating. It is essential that officers are given the tools and support needed to protect themselves and the public. The introduction of Taser has already had a positive impact by enabling officers to challenge violent offenders from a safer distance, reducing the need for close‑quarters confrontation.

“The new Taser 10 represents a further step forward in enhancing officer safety, offering greater capability to manage high‑risk situations more effectively. In addition, Gloucestershire Constabulary will be rolling out the new Axon Body 4 cameras in the coming months – this will significantly improve the quality of evidence captured at incidents. It will also better support investigators, strengthen case files, and help secure more appropriate outcomes and sentencing in court.

“Our colleagues deserve every possible protection as they carry out an increasingly challenging role. These advancements in equipment are not just welcome, they are necessary.”