A total of 169 Bedfordshire Police officers were assaulted on duty during 2016/2017, according to police recorded crime statistics.
In the same period, 157 “assaults without injury on a constable” were reported in Bedfordshire in data submitted to the Home Office by the Force.
Based on assaults reported to the Force health and safety or HR teams by officers themselves, 49 Bedfordshire officers were injured after being assaulted on duty in the same period, though it is widely believed many officers do not submit the relevant forms so many assaults go unreported.
Bedfordshire is one of 20 forces to supply separate data on the total number of assaults on its officers – including those involving injury – from its crime recording system as part of a voluntary submission.
“These figures make alarming reading,” says Jim Mallen, chairman of Bedfordshire Police Federation, “One assault is one assault too many in my book. Officers appreciate that their role can lead to unintended physical contact. This is to be expected given that they are often dealing with people with extreme emotions in difficult and sometimes traumatic situations.
“However, time and time again we are hearing of officers being subjected to sustain and deliberate attacks and this has to stop.”
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) is running a national Protect The Protectors campaign calling on the Government to introduce tougher sentences for those who attack the police and other emergency service workers. The campaign also demands better protective equipment for officers.
Bedfordshire Police Federation has supported the campaign and has welcomed the progress of a bill on the subject of officer assaults through Parliament. The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Private Members’ Bill, presented by Chris Bryant, the MP for Rhonda, gained cross party support in the House of Commons last week and will now go forward for a second reading on 20 October.
If the bill successfully passes through Parliament, it will:
- introduce new offences including wounding or assault when perpetrated against an emergency worker in the performance of their duties
- compel those suspected of assault – including spitting - who may pose a health risk to undergo blood tests
- make it an offence to refuse to undergo such tests, and
- lay down tough sentences for those convicted of these new offences.
Jim explains: “It is great to see MPs getting behind police officers. All too often we hear them saying how much they appreciate the police service but their words have not always been backed up in their actions. The fact they have got behind this bill perhaps shows they are listening to the Federation after all.
“Day in and day out police officers putting themselves at risk to protect their communities. At the very least, they themselves need to be protected both in terms of the law and the equipment they are provided with.”
Bedfordshire Police Federation worked with the Force to introduce a seven-point plan on officer and staff assaults within the Force. The plan sets out the standards for how the Force will support those assaulted on duty.
