Neil Mennie, Federation Chair was speaking on BBC Radio Kent this morning (12 August) following news that 1,594 Kent Police officers were assaulted on duty last year.

30 officers were hit, bitten, kicked and stamped upon a week during 2020 - and figures revealed an unpleasant increase in spitting offences.

Neil Mennie said today: ”Anyone that lays hands on a police officer - I want to see go to prison. I am concerned about the protection of our colleagues. Stronger sentences are needed.”

There were 81 incidents of biting against Kent Police officers last year - an increase of 47 per cent on previous year.

He said: “There are theories abound as to why these levels of assaults continue to increase and we’re working hard to try and improve things and protect our officers and I wish I had the answer. It is a complex series of reasons why we have seen these increases in assaults. But it’s not a nice place to be for our colleagues.

“Spitting is not a new thing. The pandemic brought it into sharper focus. Covid was being weaponised by some of our suspects. Our colleagues find it particularly hideous and nasty and it causes all sorts of issues. It is not just about the physical assault. We have come a long way in how we try and look after officers in terms of their mental health and wellbeing and when you have a team member who has been assaulted - it affects the rest of the team as well. It is very shocking and upsetting. The ramifications for the officer, their colleagues and their family can be quite serious. Particularly when it happens on too regular a basis.

“When you have got a situation where 100 police officers a day are assaulted nationally, something has to be done.”

Neil added: “We don’t deserve to be assaulted for going about our duties.”

To hear the interview in full, go to: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_kent