Police rep backs tougher powers for 999 assaults

COURTS should be given greater power to punish people who attack emergency service workers, according to the body which represents rank-andfile police officers.

Assaults on officers and other 999 workers have risen sharply during the lockdown, according to Leicestershire Police Federation.

Officers have been spat at and coughed on by people claiming to be infected.

Now, the Leicestershire branch of the federation has spoken out to support a pledge by Home Secretary Priti Patel to examine courts’ sentencing powers under the Assaults on Emergency

Workers Act. The legislation came into force in 2018 and means people who assault or attack emergency workers face longer jail terms than under previous legislation.

Previously, the offence carried a maximum sentence of six months in jail.

The new months.

Ms Patel suggested this week that it could be doubled again. David Stokes, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, said: “I am saddened there has been an increase in officer assaults

“While chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, I have remained operational and kept my feet on the ground, so I can say this with conviction, officers are doing a brilliant job, legislation raised it to 12 looking after the public with increased risk because of Covid-19.

“I recently saw a media picture of a Metropolitan Officer covered in blood after an assault.

“This is not part of the job, and I am pleased political leaders are taking a zero-tolerance approach to such violence.

“But my plea is to those who are violent to officers, too. They should remember that behind the uniform is someone who would save your life in the blink of an eye.

“Just like our NHS colleagues, we go home to our families at the end of a shift, and of course families worry for us. It’s not right that families have the extra worry we may return home with injuries, or even never return.” the