Figures show concerning rise in assaults on Hampshire police officers

31 July 2020

Hampshire Police officers have suffered more assaults this year than last, ‘concerning’ new figures have shown.

The Government stats show a total of 1,241 police constables in the county were assaulted in 2019/20 compared to 1,176 in 2018/19.

Over 380 of the assaults this year left Hampshire Police officers with an injury of some sort. Nationally more than 30,000 officers were attacked, an increase of 3% on 2018/19.

Hampshire Police Federation Chair Zoe Wakefield promised the Federation would be working hard to see what more could be done to tackle the issue.

“The increase is concerning but sadly not a surprise,” she said.

“I am planning on doing some work to try and identify the issues and what more can be done.

“Some of it may be the impact of COVID, training, better recording of assaults, negative perception of police in the media, less respect for police and a general increase in violence in society in general.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel has said she is well aware of the growing need to tackle violence against blue light workers and has vowed to double the maximum sentences available to two years.

Any legislation would follow the 2018 Protect the Protectors Bill which saw the sentencing power of the courts go from six months to a year in prison.

For the full report visit; https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904523/police-officers-assaulted-201920-england-wales.pdf