Officer assaults: maximum sentences to double to two years

9 March 2021

The maximum sentence for assaulting police officers and other emergency service workers will be doubled from 12 months to two years under a new bill being unveiled in Parliament today.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill seeks to equip the police with the powers and tools they need to protect themselves and the public.

“There are a number of measures in this bill that will make a real difference to police officers as well as the public,” says Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police Federation.

“The proposed increase in sentences for those who attack us and other emergency service workers follows a campaign by the Federation which has long argued that the courts need to be tougher on these offenders, both to punish them and act as a deterrent to others.

“For far too long, police officers seem to have been seen as society’s punchbags and that has to stop. During the pandemic, we have seen officers subjected to disgusting attacks in which they have been spat at or coughed over by people claiming to have coronavirus.”

Jon adds: “The bill also sets out changes that will mean that police officers’ driving is no longer judged by the standards of the careful and competent driver, something our deputy secretary, Tim Rogers, has campaigned on for more than six years.”

In addition to establishing a Police Covenant giving serving and former members of the police service health and wellbeing support, physical protection and support for their families, the bill will allow Special Constables to formally join the Police Federation.

The bill has been welcomed by the national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales.

John Apter said: “This bill contains a number of important changes we have been campaigning for over many years to give greater protection to police officers, and recognise the unpredictable, dangerous and demanding job they do.

“This is the first step to bring these changes into law; we must grab this opportunity and ensure the Bill brings about a positive, meaningful and tangible difference for our colleagues.

“Our Protect the Protectors’ campaign brought about the original Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 which saw the maximum penalty for assaulting an emergency worker increase from six to 12 months. It is absolutely the right decision to see the maximum sentence being doubled, as the original tariff has proved completely ineffective. However, this increase in sentencing will mean nothing unless the sentencing guidelines are updated and made fit for purpose.

“This bill also means that Special Constables will now get the same legal protection and support as regular officers as members of the Police Federation. As a former Special myself, this is something I have been very passionate about. This is only right, Specials carry a warrant card and carry the same risk as regular officers, I’m proud that the Federation is opening its doors to them as members.”