Home Secretary’s support for assaulted officers

23 June 2020

Humberside Police Federation chair Pete Musgrave says the support of the Home Secretary for increased sentences for offenders who attack police officers is a welcome move.

Pete argues tougher sentences are needed to protect police and to send out the message it’s unacceptable to physically or verbally assault officers.

He was speaking after Priti Patel backed strengthening the protection given to officers by increasing sentences for offenders who attack emergency workers.

Pete said: “It’s wholly unacceptable that our members should face violence and the threat of violence in their daily lives because of the uniform that they wear. Policing is a dangerous and unpredictable job, so it’s essential that there is as much support for our officers as possible, and that includes more meaningful deterrents to prevent assaults.

“All too often we see the consequences of attacks on our members, and there have been times during the ongoing pandemic when the threat of coronavirus has been weaponised in attacks on officers.

“It’s despicable and we cannot go on accepting these assaults which is why we welcome the Home Secretary’s backing for stiffer sentences.”

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 12-month maximum jail sentence for those who attack officers and other blue light colleagues.

Priti Patel reiterated her backing for even stronger sentences during a conference call with national Federation chair John Apter and three officers from Wales, West Yorkshire and Wiltshire, who were victims of assaults.

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, John 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.

He explained: “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.”