Abuse, assaults and no respect... challenges faced by our officers

POLICING the UK’s streets is “like spinning plates” due to the growing challenges faced by officers.

With more attacks on police, gaps in mental health services being exposed and emboldened criminals willing to fight back, the force is facing tough times.

On my night in a car with response officers in Liverpool, I heard how many of their call-outs involve domestic incidents.

But other jobs were constantly coming in over the police radio, ranging from violent assaults to road traffic collisions and mental health incidents.

The two-man crew with whom I spent a Friday evening spoke frankly about the many potentially life-changing split-second decisions they have to make – from firing a Taser to when it is safe to leave someone who has self-harmed – as well as the growing number of attacks on officers.

In a chilling reflection of today’s violent crime epidemic, both officers admitted being called to “stabbings and slashing” was now “normality” for them.

And, worryingly, they told me how both criminals and victims are getting younger and have no respect for authority.

PC Katie Thomas told the Daily Express how units rushed to the aid of a shopkeeper who was being robbed at knife-point.

In the aftermath, a group of hostile teenagers gathered outside.

She said: “When we came out, the car was covered in spit. It was disgusting. I don’t think our uniform scares them.”

She added: “Children are being led into criminality really young now because they’re given small amounts of money and told to drive up and down the streets on bikes.

“And then the money becomes addictive. Young children are able to go out and afford the trainers that they want, the clothes that they want. Social media has a massive impact on what kids want.

“They don’t seem fazed any more. When I was 11, it would be the shock of my life if the police ever approached me.”

Stolen

PC James Downes-Parker added: “A call came in saying there were two 11-year-old boys driving around in a stolen car. It beggars belief. How on earth they got their hands on the stolen car is beyond me.

“Nowadays, the kids won’t think twice about verbally abusing you, and if they want to, try and have a pop at you and physically assault you.

“Respect has gone.”

But, thanks to improved technology, the response officers are now able to monitor all live jobs across a given area on a device no bigger than a smartphone. It allows them to file witness statements and, crucially, read logs linked to an address they have been called to so they can get a greater understanding of what could be happening at their destination.

That proved particularly helpful when we were called to look for a missing person who had self-harmed.

Officers were able to read up about the young woman’s history so they were able to give her the best possible help.

PC Thomas was also able to look out for stolen cars by checking car registration plates against the police database.

But the officers’ main role is to respond to 999 calls – and their number is going up. PC DownesParker added: “It has got busier. We’re not dealing with simple crimes any more.”