‘Jail sentences for officer attacks should be the norm’

13 August 2024

The jail sentences so far handed down to offenders who have assaulted police officers during the violent unrest of the last 10 days have been welcomed by West Midlands Police Federation.

But Jase Dooley, the branch deputy chair, says the approach to crime and sentencing has to be consistent and it’s a convenient political reaction to the current civil unrest to have offenders who assault the police sent to jail. 

“This has to be applied in all cases where our officers are assaulted. We clearly welcome the fact that those who use violence against officers and show them no respect as they try to quell the violence on the streets of our cities and towns from last week onwards have started to appear before the courts and that judges have handed out jail sentences,” says Jase.

“This sends out a very clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated. Those who serve their communities and seek to protect the public – be they police officers, ambulance crews or members of the fire service – have to be protected as they go about their duties. 

“But, while we have seen the Home Secretary and Prime Minister speak out in recent days, supporting tough sentencing for those involved in the riots, we do not necessarily see judges handing out suitable sentences when police officers are assaulted in other incidents.

Assaulted

“Up until the end of July this year, a staggering 611 West Midlands Police officers had reported being assaulted at work – that equates to around three assaults each and every day. 

“The majority of these reports were about physical attacks but there were also numerous incidents of officers being spat at, with the risks that brings.

“How can that be allowed to keep happening, and how many of those carrying out these attacks will see themselves brought to court let alone sent to jail?

“It is good to see the courts dealing appropriately with the violence we have seen directed at police officers during the current unrest but we need to see consistent sentencing for assaults on emergency service workers at all times, not just during a national crisis. 

“The legislation is there to protect those attempting to protect the public. When consistently applied, this serves not just to punish offenders but also act as a deterrent to others.

“The system has now been seen to appropriately charge and jail those who assault police officers following the riots but routinely that has not been the case. We hope this is a change in direction and that finally we will see the deterrent of appropriate sentencing applied as it should be and not as part of the political wind of the day.”

Last week, a 58-year-old man who punched a police officer during disorder at a mosque was sentenced to three years in jail when he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to violent disorder charges and assaulting an emergency worker. Others have been sentenced too.

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