Scale of violence against police laid bare in new covenant report

23 February 2026

The chair of Gwent Police Federation says figures revealing police officers and staff in England and Wales are assaulted an average of 115 times a day are ‘utterly shocking’.

Matthew Candy said that behind the figures were real people with families and loved ones, as he renewed calls for tougher sentencing.

The figures are included in the latest annual Police Covenant report.

Matthew said: “Attacks on police officers and staff are happening dozens of times every day.

“The level of violence is utterly shocking and should alarm the public and the criminal justice system.

“Police officers go to work to keep people safe, not to be punched, kicked, spat at or abused. It must never be seen as a part of policing.”

Matthew said the human impact of assaults was too often overlooked.

He said: “Behind every assault is a colleague who may be injured, traumatised, or fearful of going back on duty.
“These are ordinary people serving their communities, and they should not face this level of violence just for the uniform they wear.”

Sentencing

Following a successful campaign by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), the sentence for those who assaulted emergency services was increased to two years' imprisonment.

And Matthew urged the courts to use their full powers when sentencing those who attack police officers.

“The legislation is there, but too often sentences fall short of what is needed,” he said.
“If we are serious about protecting officers and staff, then the full weight of the law must come down on attackers to provide justice and deter future attacks.”

The covenant report also acknowledges shortcomings in how assaults are recorded, suggesting the true scale of the problem was unknown.

Assaults

National work to address the issue is being coordinated through Operation Hampshire. Forces are now required to take senior-level responsibility for tackling and preventing assaults, to implement a structured prevention plan, and to improve data collection to build a clearer picture of risk.

Inspections by HMICFRS now place greater emphasis on how forces manage assaults and provide welfare support, while new digital tools are helping officers record incidents more effectively.

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has launched its Copped Enough campaign, which calls for better protection, stronger sentencing, and improved support for officers and staff.

Matthew said: “Our members have Copped Enough and feel let down by the system.

“Attacks on them must be met with the toughest consequences, and only then will we begin to turn the tide on this unacceptable level of violence.”

Read the Police Covenant annual report.