Cops clash over new assault figure claims
Officers face an average of five attacks a week
The Sco t t i s h Po l i ce Federation has warned that cops in Renfrewshire are “demoralised” and “overstretched” after new assault figures were revealed.
The Paisley Daily Express reported last week that more than 1,000 assaults on police officers were recorded in the region in just five years.
SPF bosses speculated the number could be even higher, saying staff under-report incidents due to falling morale.
However, the claims were angrily refuted by Renfrewshire’s top cop, Chief Superintendent Gordon Crossan, who insists his officers are dedicated and committed to keeping communities safe.
The Express reported that on average, five assaults a week are recorded against officers in the region.
Paul Connelly, chair of West Area Committee, Scottish Police Federation, said: “The figures obtained by the Paisley Daily Express are disturbing but unfortunately do not come as a surprise to me. The officers that serve Renfrewshire are overstretched leading to a greater risk of being assaulted.
“The SPF believe that the true situation is even worse than these figures show as officers are so demoralised that they don’t always record when they have been assaulted. Each of these assaults is an attack on those who seek to safeguard and assist the local community.”
Chief superintendent Gordon Crossan, says the claims are not representative of what he sees day in, day out from his officers.
He also pointed out that the number of cops on the street should have no impact on the number of cops being assaulted.
He told the Paisley Daily Express: “I simply do not recognise the characterisation offered by the SPF.
“I speak regularly with my officers and I have not seen this “demoralisation”. What I see is hard working, skilled, and determined officers out protecting our communities day in and day out.
“One assault on a police officer is an assault too many and we have to make that very clear. It will not be tolerated.”