Calls for offenders to face the strongest possible sentences

7 November 2023

Offenders convicted of attacking police officers must face the strongest possible sentences, says the deputy chair of West Midlands Police Federation.

Jase Dooley, who is also the branch’s assaults lead, has called for courts to impose stiffer punishments to help tackle the epidemic of assaults on officers.

“Officers are not getting the support from the system that they need and deserve,” he said.

“I don’t think the sentencing is strong enough to deter people from assaulting officers.

“The Government raised the sentence for assaulting a police officer to 12 months in prison but I don’t think the courts are taking it as seriously as they should be.

“I don’t think the punishment fits the crime.

“Police officers need justice when they’re attacked - they are victims as well.

“Just because they’re a police officer does not mean it should be an accepted part of the job.

“They shouldn’t have this level of violence towards them just because of the job they do. We shouldn’t accept it.

“The punishment needs to be stronger,” he added.

Jase’s comments come as figures shared with the BBC showed that in the year to June there were 38,079 assaults on officers in England - a rise of six per cent in three years.

“As our assaults lead I receive two or three reports every day,” he said. “Even more after a weekend.

“It ranges from head-butts to kicking, from spitting to punching, and it’s happening on a daily basis.

“Spitting is a disgusting act, but it’s being increasingly used to attack officers.

“Some members have told me they’d rather be punched than be spat at because it’s such a disgusting thing to have done to you.

“Officers are trying their hardest to deal with situations but are being attacked and assaulted - and they need the backing of the criminal justice system to help reduce it.”