‘Courts are too soft’ on those who attack police officers

TOUGHER ACTION must be taken against offenders who attack officers, the chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Federation has said.

There were more than 2,000 assaults against West Yorkshire Police officers recorded last year, leaving hundreds of officers injured, according to a new report.

Nationally, the number of attacks on emergency workers is rising and Home Secretary Priti Patel has pledged to double the maximum sentence for offenders.

But Brian Booth, chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, has called for harsher punishment to stop officers being targeted.

“It does not surprise me that there is still a climbing trend of assaults on my colleagues,” he said. “West

Yorkshire Police Federation has been working hard with West Yorkshire Police ensuring that we get the best evidence, the best equipment and the best processes to secure convictions.

“We do appreciate the Home Secretary’s support in doubling the available sentence, but have to ask the question – will this work? The courts are not using the maximum sentencing powers currently and are being too soft on offenders.

“A true deterrent would be a minimum custodial sentence starting from six months, removing discretionary sentencing and in turn removing all doubt that this is a serious offence against society.”

The report from the Office of National Statistics revealed there were 2,185 assaults on West Yorkshire Police officers between April 2019 to March 2020 – 1,721 did not result in physical injury.

West Yorkshire Police condemned the “unacceptable” assaults against its officers, saying they were investigated with the same “care, compassion and commitment” as those on the public.

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