Chair appalled at attacks on emergency service workers

22 January 2021

The chair of the Humberside Police Federation says he’s appalled by the number of attacks on the emergency services during the pandemic.

Pete Musgrave says using the virus as a weapon by coughing or spitting at frontline workers was “sickening” and has called for the toughest possible sentences for offenders.

He was speaking as new figures released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) show assaults on emergency workers are the most common coronavirus-related crime.

The statistics revealed that following last spring’s lockdown, in the period between 1 April and 30 September, 1,688 out of 6,500 offences were classed by the CPS as assaults on emergency workers.

“These figures are appalling,” said Pete, “It’s shocking to see so many attacks on the people who’ve been keeping the public safe during the pandemic.

“And it’s sickening that a large number of these attacks have involved Covid-19 being used as a weapon by offenders, who are spitting and coughing at our colleagues.

“We need offenders responsible for such attacks to face the maximum possible sentences because this can’t be allowed to continue.

“We need to give our members and their colleagues in the other emergency services the support and protection they need to do their job.”

Pete’s comments have been backed by John Apter, the national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW).

He said: “Being spat and coughed at, in the middle of a pandemic which has taken so many lives, is disgusting, dangerous and inhumane. In some cases, individuals who commit these offences are even saying they have the virus and hope the officer catches it then dies.

“This stark increase in coronavirus-related crime may shock decent members of society but will not come as any real surprise to colleagues.

“Police officers on the frontline are increasingly facing abuse from a small minority who think nothing of deliberately weaponising the virus, and these people are the lowest of the low.

“The frustration we have in dealing with these individuals involves sentencing, as it’s inconsistent and often leaves victims feeling completely let down by the criminal justice system.

“Those who commit these attacks must spend time in prison, as without this there is no deterrent and emergency workers will continue to feel let down by the criminal justice system. 

“We have recently seen examples of Covid being transmitted to colleagues through these attacks. When someone knowingly has the virus or believes they have it and then wilfully coughs or spits at a police officer, we need the CPS to consider a much more serious charge than the ‘Assaults on emergency workers’ category. Without this, these types of attacks will continue to rise.”

The CPS has introduced a ‘coronavirus flag’ on its case management system to highlight criminality related to the pandemic as an aggravating feature at sentencing. This can include coughing and spitting while threatening to infect another person with the virus.

Max Hill QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “Our guiding principle throughout has always been to support the police in ensuring the right person in charged with the right offence.

“Particularly appalling is the high number of assaults on emergency workers still taking place and I will continue to do everything in my power to protect those who so selflessly keep us safe during this crisis.”