Pledge as attacks on police reach 20 each day

There have been about 20 assaults on police officers and staff each day in Scotland, up almost a quarter on the five-year average, according to new figures.

Police Scotland released the statistics as the chief constable pledged to support officers facing violence.

During the first quarter of 2020-21 there were 1,775 recorded assaults on officers and staff, the figures indicate.

This is around 20 a day on average, Police Scotland said, up 7.2% year on year and 22.7% on the five-year average.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has pledged to provide police staff “the training and tools

“Policing... brings order, discipline and compassion”

you need to do your job safely” and to “ensure the service responds to violence or abuse when it happens to you with the same care and compassion as we do for members of the public”.

The pledge is backed by Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC and Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf.

Mr Livingstone said: “Policing in Scotland brings order, discipline and compassion.

“It is, then, disgraceful and deplorable when officers and staff are subjected to violence during the course of their duties.”

He “utterly rejects any suggestion” that such attacks “come with the job”.

The pledge was developed by staff associations, unions and experts from across Police Scotland.

Mr Yousaf said he was “deeply concerned” by the increase in assaults.

“The courts have extensive powers to deal robustly with those who carry out such appalling behaviour on our officers and staff,” he said.