‘We must restore respect for police’ pledges Home Secretary

13 August 2024

North Yorkshire Police Federation chair Rob Bowles has echoed the Home Secretary’s pledge to restore respect for the law. 

Rob said he hoped the public and political leaders had seen the sacrifices made by officers over the past two weeks.

“Given the circumstances of what was happening across the country last week - especially following the tragic murders of those poor girls in Southport - I felt it was insensitive at the time, to call on the Government to recognise the actions of our members,” said Rob, who praised officers who ‘dropped everything’ to protect the public during the violent disorder across the country.

“However, upon reflection, I hope that those in power and members of the public see that it was once again, the police who dropped everything to protect the communities they serve.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

“Police officers here in North Yorkshire and across the country are working 12 hours a day during the school summer holidays, missing rest days and leave, which is a big sacrifice for officers with children and young families.

“We hope that the Government and the public see how our members continue to go above and beyond to keep communities safe.”

Rob’s comments come as Home Secretary Yvette Cooper pledged to restore the public’s faith in the law following the violent disorder of the past two weeks.

Loss of respect

Ms Cooper said that the recent violent disorder showed a loss of respect for the police and that too many people ‘feel as though crime has no consequences’.

She said: “I am glad not just that we have seen hundreds of thugs facing the consequences of their actions in recent days, but that the deterrent effect of punishment has now been witnessed this weekend as the police, government and criminal justice system responded at speed. We said criminals would pay the price, and we meant it. That is the rule of law in practice.”

Rob said: “The Home Secretary points out the deterrent effect of punishment in, hopefully, preventing further disorder.

“The courts have been jailing those who have been convicted of being involved, which has sent out a message and, I’m sure, made others think twice.

Sentencing

“We need that level of sentencing to continue for those who attack our officers while doing their job.

“We need to show support for officers and send out the message it won’t be tolerated. In short, we need to protect the protectors.”

Ms Cooper, writing in the Telegraph, described the violence as ‘a disgraceful assault on the rule of law itself’.

“I am not prepared to tolerate the brazen abuse and contempt which a minority have felt able to show towards our men and women in uniform, or the disrespect for law and order that has been allowed to grow in recent years,” she said.

“As well as punishing those responsible for the last fortnight’s violent disorder, we must take action to restore respect for the police, and respect for the law. From anti-social behaviour through to serious violence, too often people feel as though crime has no consequences, as charge rates have been allowed to fall and court delays have grown. That has to change.

“We will work with the police, rather than just blaming them from afar, to tackle problems and raise standards. And we won’t engage in the kind of shameful behaviour we have seen from some senior politicians and pundits who sought to undermine the legitimacy and authority of the police, just at the time they needed our full backing to restore order to the streets.

“When the police put on those uniforms, when they go out in the service of our communities, and when they uphold the high standards we expect of them, they deserve respect from every single one of us.”

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