Calls for tougher sentencing after man spat blood at officers

7 August 2023

West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich Cooke has warned members are facing a rising threat of assault after two officers had blood spat in their faces.

The officers were responding to reports of a man in distress when the incident took place.

Rich said: “These two officers were assaulted in the most vile way.

“They responded to reports of an individual who was in distress.

“The suspect spat blood in their face and eyes after self harming.

“This was a revolting, traumatic experience that no one should have to face.

“The rising threat of assault faced by police officers in the West Midlands is deeply disturbing and something has to be done about it.”

Rich Cook has warned of a rising threat of assaults against officers

The latest attack, which occurred in Dudley on Monday 31 July, comes amid a marked increase in spitting and deliberate coughing incidents aimed at officers.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said there were 1,029 incidents of officers being spat at or having blood or bodily fluids intentionally coughed at them across England and Wales in the year ending March 2023.

Rich described such attacks as “utterly disgusting” and repeated his calls for tougher sentencing for anyone convicted of assaulting an emergency service worker.

He said: “Being spat on or coughed on is vile and assaults like this can have a huge psychological impact on the victim.

“Judges and magistrates must use the sentencing powers they have to their full extent to ensure those who assault police officers and other emergency service workers receive the maximum tariff sentences available.

“There can never be an excuse for assaulting an emergency service worker.

“It isn’t part of the job and those convicted of such an attack should face severe consequences.”

The latest figures show there were 2,917 recorded assaults on West Midlands Police officers in the year ending March 2023. 

This equates to 4.3 assaults per 1,000 officers which is well above the national average of 2.9 assaults per 1,000 officers in England and Wales.