Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey: Four in five frontline officers fall victim to unarmed physical attack in past year

29 January 2021

Four in five frontline police officers who responded to a survey said they have been the victim of an unarmed physical attack in the past year, new research has shown.

The Police Federation of England and Wales 2020 Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey found that 55 per cent of officers had been attacked over the previous 12 months, and this figure increased to 83 per cent when only examining responses from officers working in response, neighbourhood policing, custody and roads.

Neil Mennie, Kent Police Federation Chair, said: “Results from the survey continue to show some worrying trends amongst our members. Assaults continue at an unacceptable level and although work is underway to improve officer safety these must be made quickly. Assaults on our members quite simply cannot continue in this way and at this level.

“The Chief Constable in Kent along with the Police and Crime Commissioner have been very vocal in condemning these assaults. The Chief chaired the national officer staff and safety review that made a number of recommendations last year and we look forward to some practical changes as a result.”

The weaponising of the Covid virus against police officers was revealed to be an emerging threat to health and welfare, the survey also showed. Almost one in three officers (32 per cent) reported a member of the public who was believed to carry the virus had purposely threatened to breathe or cough on them, while nearly a quarter (24 per cent) said someone had actually done so.

Neil added: “The Covid pandemic has seen the disgusting use of spitting and coughing along with verbal threats weaponizing this awful illness. It’s also not surprising given the nature of policing that a number of officers have likely contracted COVID at work and irrespective of the precise detail demonstrates why we need the vaccine as soon as possible.

“High workloads and fatigue are also an ongoing concern. A manageable workload and a shift that starts and ends when its supposed too are important for giving a sense of structure and stability. Its accepted that on occasion situations arise where we need an ‘all hands to the pump’. A recent example of which was the sudden border closure at Christmas that meant long hours and short notice changes including the loss of some valuable time off. This is expected as part of policing and our members stepped up to the plate and did a fantastic job.”

Mental health and wellbeing issues were highlighted by 77 per cent of police officers, and the majority (90 per cent) of these respondents indicated psychological difficulties had been caused, or made worse, by working within policing.