Kentish Express Ashford & District
Pledge to double jail time for those who attack police
Criminals assaulting and spitting at police officers are set to receive tougher sentences in a move welcomed by Kent’s leading police figures.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced she wants to increase the maximum sentence for anyone found guilty of assaulting emergency workers to two years in prison – double the current punishment.
The move, which is under consultation, comes amid a shocking trend of rising attacks on officers in the county, with 1,234 recorded last year - the equivalent of more than three a day.
In the four-week period up to June 21, there were 134 - up 34% from last year.
Neil Mennie, chairman of the Kent Police Federation, which represents police in the county, says the recent rise in offences amid the coronavirus pandemic has been “disgusting”.
“A minority of individuals have sought to use this terrible pandemic to try to intimidate and threaten our colleagues,” he said.
“One thing we can be sure of is that they will fail and be arrested – be it Covid-related or any other type of assault.
“This is a further important announcement from Priti Patel which will protect our police colleagues and indeed all emergency service workers.”
Kent’s police and crime commissioner, Matthew Scott, says he believes any assault to an officer of the law should incur an automatic jail term.
“We should increase sentencing – they are assaults on all of us,” he said. “I’m glad the Home Secretary will be taking it further.”
Mr Scott adds he is concerned the current maximum sentence of 12 months means too often sentences actually passed are too lenient, meaning “criminals have become emboldened”.
He says he hopes the new sentence would give greater power to judges and the courts and for anyone breaking the law there “should be automatic deprivation of their liberty and go to prison”.
Mr Scott branded people spitting at officers and members of the public during the Covid-19 pandemic as “scumbags” and described it as “lowlife behaviour”.
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