Assaults on police rocket in pandemic

ASSAULTS on police in South Wales rocketed during the pandemic.

Between April 2020 and March 2021, there were 727 assaults against police officers recorded in the area, according to new figures published by the Home Office. That was up 11% from 655 in 2019/20. Of these, 337 assaults resulted in an injury, up 17% in a year from 287 in 2019/20. There were also a further 390 assaults that did not result in injury, up 6% from 368.

The figures cover assaults on officers that are recorded as crimes and that involve violence. However, they do not include more serious assaults - such as attempted murder - which are recorded under a more serious crime classification. They also do not include any assaults that are not reported.

That means the overall number of attacks on police may well be higher than the published number.

Across England and Wales, there were 36,969 assaults against police officers recorded in 2020/21.

That was 14% higher than the 32,427 reported in 2019/20.

Police Federation England and Wales National Chair John Apter, said: “Throughout the pandemic we have witnessed police officers being subjected to a disgusting level of violence. We now have the figures to prove just how dire the situation has been for my colleagues on the ground.

“More than 100 of my colleagues are assaulted every single day, that’s a staggering number and something society must not accept. Many of these recorded attacks involve vile individuals who have spat on or coughed at police officers, weaponising the virus and threatening to spread it to them and their families.

“The sentencing guidelines have been changed and I would urge judges and magistrates to use these powers to set an example to those who are assaulting our colleagues, those responsible must spend time in prison. This unjustified violence is a stain on society and needs to be dealt with robustly.”