Warning after assaults on police officers rose in first lockdown
ASSAULTS on police officers in the North East spiked during the first lockdown – and now offenders have been warned they will “face the full force of the law” as tough restrictions are reintroduced.
Figures show there were a total of 411 assaults against police officers in the region during the first quarter of 2020/21, between April and June.
In that time there were a total of 131 assaults against Durham Constabulary officers and 280 against officers with Northumbria Police.
A number of these assaults included incidents in which suspects have spat or coughed in officers’ faces and claimed they had coronavirus.
Others include incidents where officers have been punched, kicked, head-butted, scratched, bitten or had glass bottles thrown at them.
One officer was spat at while booking in a teenager at Durham City station in April and another man from Pelton was jailed after spitting at and assaulting an officer in a hospital in July.
During those months, Britain was under strict lockdown conditions which meant schools were closed, along with most shops and businesses, while members of the public were told to stay home and not to mix with other households.
Restrictions began to be eased in June, when some children returned to school and nonessential shops were allowed to reopen.
Nationally, there were a total of 8,921 assaults on police officers between April and June last year. That is up by 1,021 on the 7,900 attacks on officers the previous year, a rise of 13%.
A Durham Constabulary spokesperson said: “It is completely unacceptable to attack any emergency worker.
“Our officers are human beings who have every right to return home safely at the end of a shift protecting the public.
“Attacks on officers can have long-term physical and emotional effects which they and their families do not deserve.”
Assistant Chief Constable Neil Hutchison, of Northumbria Police, said: “Officers come to work each day to protect the communities we are proud to serve and to help people.
“They regularly face challenging situations – but all too often this includes violence.
“I want to make it clear that this is totally unacceptable and it is important that anyone who shows such behaviour towards emergency service personnel is brought to justice.
“Violence should never simply be considered a part of the job.
“I would like to thank all officers, staff and volunteers who show incredible dedication and professionalism while carrying out their duties.”
The lockdown figures were revealed as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK is to go back under lockdown after a surge of new infections over the Christmas period, blamed on a new variant of Covid-19.
It means people are now only allowed to leave home for a number of permitted reasons, such as shopping for basic essentials, for exercise or for medical purposes.
It falls once again on police officers to ensure the new strict rules are being followed – at a time when the crisis has already affected morale in the force.
A recent survey carried out by the Police Federation – which represents rank-and-file officers – found that more than three quarters (76%) felt they were not paid enough to deal with all the added complications Covid-19 has brought to their jobs.
Two out of three officers (65%) also said the pandemic has had a negative impact on their morale.
Che Donald, vicechair of the Police Federation of England and Wales
(PFEW), said he was “appalled” by the surge in assaults, which he called “totally unacceptable”.
He added: “Police officers and other emergency workers who serve the public do not deserve to be assaulted for simply doing their jobs.
“Those who commit these despicable offences must be harshly dealt with by the courts and face the full force of the law.
“PFEW will continue our campaign to increase sentences against those who assault us through our ‘Protect The Protectors’ campaign.
“It is vital to safeguard the physical and mental wellbeing of police officers and ensure courts issue tougher sentences for those who assault emergency service workers.”
Meanwhile, the Home Office has announced legislation to double the maximum sentence for anyone who assaults any emergency worker, including police officers, from one year to two.
A Government spokesperson said: “Being attacked should never be part of the job and perpetrators must face the full force of the law.
“That is why we are doubling the maximum sentence for those who assault emergency workers.
“This year, as well as continuing to recruit 20,000 additional police officers, we will enshrine a police covenant in law to provide better support and protection for our brave officers, staff, and their families.”
Last year, The Chronicle launched a Justice for Heroes campaign calling for a Government review over the lack of prison sentences handed out to thugs who attack our 999 heroes.
We demanded a full Government review into the sentencing of criminals who attack emergency services.