More than 200 attacks on police in 7 months
MORE than 200 police officers have been attacked on the streets of North Wales since April, the force has revealed.
North Wales Police said officers had been subjected to attacks ranging from being spat at to having their jaws broken this year.
The shocking statistic was revealed by the force as new laws come into force introducing tougher sentences for those who attack emergency services workers.
The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act doubles the maximum sentence for attacks on emergency services from six to 12 months.
Temporary assistant chief constable Neill Anderson said: “Every single day our officers, staff and volunteers are often dealing with very difficult and challenging situations and putting themselves in harm’s way to uphold the law and protect the public, they must be able to carry out their duties as safely as possible.
“It is wholly unacceptable for them to be threatened, attacked, verbally abused or spat at – and those responsible should face the full force of the law.
“We mustn’t forget that behind the badge, police officers and other emergency workers are ordinary people doing extraordinary jobs.”
He said he was hopeful that the legislation would act as a deterrent against attacks on emergency services workers.
The law protects police officers, paramedics, firefighters, prison officers and other public servants, as well as volunteers such as those in mountain rescue teams and the RNLI.
Mark Jones, general secretary of the North Wales Police Federation added: “It is a national disgrace that attacks on emergency service workers continue to rise and become more prevalent so it is critical that there are strong and robust sentences given to those who violently assault our colleagues.
“Nobody should go to work to be assaulted and any attack on an emergency service worker should be seen as an attack on society as a whole.”
Other emergency services representatives also praised the new law.
Louise Platt, director of operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “Being exposed to assaults or any other inappropriate behaviour, verbal or physical, while they are undertaking their duties, is totally unacceptable, and we welcome this recent change to legislation aimed at providing more protection for our emergency services staff.
“Thankfully, serious incidents are isolated. However, our staff have every right to ask the public to respect and protect the work we are trying to do.”
Stuart Millington, senior operations manager for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “We will not tolerate abuse or attacks directed towards our staff members.”
Gary Doherty, chief executive at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board added: “Our staff work extremely hard to care for and treat every patient who comes through our doors and it is unacceptable for them to be subjected to violent or aggressive behaviour.”