Home Secretary vows to strengthen protection for officers

24 June 2020

Tougher sentences are needed to protect officers from ‘deplorable’ assaults in the line of duty, says Hertfordshire Police Federation secretary Al Wollaston.

Al believes greater protection will send out the message that it’s unacceptable to physically or verbally assault officers.

He was speaking after the Home Secretary pledged to further strengthen the protection given to officers by increasing sentences for offenders who attack emergency workers.

“It’s deplorable that our members should be threatened, attacked or even spat at, at any time but particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policing is dangerous enough already without the added worry of being attacked as you go about your duties,” said Al.

“Our members put themselves in harm’s way every day to serve and protect the public, so it’s only right they have the full backing of the criminal justice system. This is why we welcome the Home Secretary’s support for tougher sentences, which would send out a clear message that we won’t tolerate attacks on our officers.”

The Federation has long campaigned for tougher sentences on those who attack members of the emergency services. Its high-profile Protect the Protectors campaign produced a significant result with the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act, which came into law in November 2018 and introduced a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison for those convicted of assaulting police officers and blue light colleagues.

Home Secretary Priti Patel reiterated her backing for even stronger sentences during a conference call with the national Federation chair, John Apter, and three officers from Wales, West Yorkshire and Wiltshire who had been assaulted at work.

She said: “Be assured you’ve got my full backing and support. Anything we can do to strengthen protection for officers is absolutely my focus – I am here to make that happen. 

“I would like to give you all my personal thanks and gratitude for everything you did, as the work you do is so integral to the community.”

Along with local Federation branches, the national chair organised the online event to highlight the need for lengthier sentences for offenders who attack emergency workers and to ensure officers who were assaulted are given the support they need.

John said: “I’m pleased the Home Secretary has taken the time to really understand the level of violence and vulnerability experienced by police officers, hearing the accounts of brave police officers who were assaulted while protecting the public.

“We hope with this welcome support from the Home Secretary we will see legislation introduced which will allow for harsher sentences for cowardly and vile individuals who assault emergency workers.”