Statement from Humberside Police Federation following today’s HMICFRS report into the police response to the summer riots.

18 December 2024

Humberside Police Federation Chair Lee Sims said: “I am pleased that HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke has today praised police officers for their ‘immense bravery and personal sacrifice’ during the riots in the summer.

“In Humberside, our officers were subjected to horrendous attacks during the protests, when they were just trying to protect the public and keep our streets safe in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

“I saw first-hand officers being assaulted; officers being attacked by missiles as a result of mindless violence. This should not be tolerated in any circumstances.

“Our officers willingly put their own safety at risk when they were trying to quell the violent disorder perpetrated by people who were trying to damage our city.

"A hearing at the Home Affairs Select Committee last week heard about a number of officers who were injured during the protests having to be taken to hospital in private vehicles.

"Today's HMICFRS report stated that 'officers didn’t always get the help they needed. Some told us about how they had to make their own way to hospital, or how they waited for triage and treatment when still in uniform'.

“Many officers in Humberside were injured, as a Federation we transported the majority of our colleagues to Hospital for treatment. This was facilitated by an off-duty colleague in their own personal vehicle.

“This was a dynamic and fast-moving environment, and as a Federation the welfare of our colleagues is of the utmost importance – whether that was providing them with a hot meal before their shift, water or aiding the injured.

“We received numerous complaints from members about their welfare during the Operation, which we as a Federation fed back to the Force immediately.”