Chair calls for tougher sentences for attacks on officers

23 February 2026

North Wales Police Federation chair Trystan Bevan has described new figures that show 115 police officers and staff are assaulted every day as ‘shocking and unacceptable’.

Trystan welcomed the Government's acknowledgement of the sacrifices made by police officers.

But he said the figures, which are published in the latest Police Covenant annual report, must act as a ‘wake-up call’.

Ms Jones said: “The Police Covenant demonstrates a recognition by Government, policing and society of the sacrifices involved in police work.

“The covenant sets out to ensure that members of the police workforce suffer no detriment as a result of their role.”

She added: “It is my ambition, and that of the Government as a whole, that the covenant should leave the police workforce in no doubt that we are on your side and will support you.

Real change

“You do so much to protect us, it is only right that we protect you.”

Trystan challenged Ms Jones to back up her comments with real change.

Trystan said: “Violence against police officers on this scale is shocking and deeply concerning.

“These aren’t just numbers. These are mums and dads, sons and daughters, our friends and colleagues, who are being attacked and abused because of the uniform they wear.

“It must serve as a wake-up call to the Government and the public. This level of violence is completely unacceptable and must never be seen as part of the job.”

The Police Covenant annual report highlighted the lasting consequences of attacks on officers.

 

 

It states: “These assaults can have immediate impacts, especially where physical injuries are incurred, and/or ongoing or long-term psychological impacts.

“This can result in poor outcomes both for the individuals assaulted and for the forces.”

The report also warns that the true number of assaults may be even higher, due to problems with data collection.

Despite that, Trystan urged the courts to use the powers available to them.

Following a campaign by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), the maximum sentence for assaulting an emergency worker was increased to two years’ imprisonment.

Trystan said: “An attack on a police officer is an attack on the whole community. These incidents affect officers’ wellbeing, their families, and the service they are able to provide to the public.

“The law is there to protect police officers and staff, but too often sentences do not reflect the seriousness of these crimes.

Tougher sentences

“We need the toughest possible sentences to act as a deterrent and send a message of support to our members.”

Work to tackle the issue nationally is being coordinated through Operation Hampshire.

Forces are now required to take senior-level responsibility for tackling and preventing assaults, to implement a structured prevention plan, and to improve data collection to build a clearer picture of risk.

Inspections by HMICFRS now place greater emphasis on how forces manage assaults and provide welfare support, while new digital tools are helping officers record incidents more effectively.

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has its Copped Enough campaign, which calls for better protection, stronger sentencing, and improved support for officers and staff.

The Federation continues to support the national Copped Enough campaign, which calls for stronger protection and tougher sentencing for officers.

Trystan said: “The vast majority of the public stand with the police, but there remains a minority who think it is acceptable to assault us.

“Our members have Copped Enough. Attacks on our members must be met with decisive action and the full weight of the law.”

Read the Police Covenant annual report.