Deputy chair believes thugs should have received harsher sentences after street attack

1 February 2024

West Midlands Police Federation deputy chair Jason Dooley says he’s disappointed at the sentences handed down after officers were smashed over the head with a bike.

Shocking footage on social media showed West Midlands Police officers being attacked with a cycle as they attempted to carry out an arrest in Villa Road, Lozells in Birmingham.

A total of four officers were attacked in the incident in October as they attempted to use dispersal order powers in response to concerns over anti-social behaviour in the area.

Some of the officers were punched and bitten. In the same incident, a passerby lifted a bicycle over his head and brought it down on the heads of officers.

The attacker who launched the bike has been convicted of two assaults on emergency workers. He received six months in prison for each offence to run concurrently and has now been released due to time served on remand.

West Midlands Police Federation deputy chair, Jase Dooley.

The other offender was convicted of three offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He received sentences of seven months, six months and six months in prison to run concurrently.

Jase, who is the branch’s assaults lead, said: “I welcome the fact that they have been convicted for what were shocking attacks on our members.

“However, I’m a bit disappointed at the sentencing they have received.

“Although they spent time on remand I believe a harsher sentence should’ve been given.

“We’ve contacted the officers who were attacked and they feel the same.

“It’s not a strong enough deterrent.”

Jase said it was another difficult weekend for West Midlands Police officers as he described attacks on officers as “completely unacceptable”.

Several officers were hurt during the trouble at the FA Cup game at the Hawthorns between West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Away from football, a total of 11 officers were assaulted over the weekend, ranging from being spat at, bitten, punched and kicked.

“This is completely unacceptable,” said Jase. “The message needs to go out to the public that if you attack a police officer you will end up in prison for a long period.

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

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

“We need the support of the wider criminal justice system and stronger punishment.”