Avon and Somerset Police sees rise in assaults against officers

The figures show the force suffered a 40 per cent increase in the number of assaults against front line staff when comparing the same three-month period in 2020 and 2021. 

Between March 23 and June 23 this year, there were 493 assaults recorded against Avon and Somerset Police officers. 

In the same period in 2020, that figure was 352. 

In 2019, 267 assaults against officers were recorded between March 23 and June 23. 

This year's higher figures may be impacted by 'kill the kill' protests in Bristol on March 21, which saw 44 officers assaulted, 39 of whom were injured.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police described the increase in assaults on officers as "concerning and totally unacceptable" and said officers who are victims of assault are "looked after and a thorough criminal investigation is carried out". 

The data gathered by the PA News Agency shows there were at least 7,357 assaults against police officers, constables, and volunteers in the UK between March and June this year.

This suggests there could have been more than 29,000 attacks during the year, which would be an average of 80 per day.

"UNACCEPTABLE": There were at least 7,357 assaults against police officers, constables, and volunteers in the UK between March and June this year

The statistics were recorded between March 23 and June 23, and they came from 31 of out 43 police forces in Britain who responded to a Freedom of Information request, meaning the actual total could be far higher.

The number of assaults against police recorded this year was slightly higher than the 2020 figure of 7,294, while the figure for 2019 was 6,036.

Avon and Somerset Police’s 40 per cent rise in assaults against officers this year compared to 2020 was the fourth highest in the country after Cambridgeshire Constabulary (121 per cent), Dorset Police (80 per cent), and Merseyside Police (41 per cent).

The number of attacks against Cambridgeshire officers rose from 58 last year to 128 this year in the same three-month period.

Cambridgeshire’s chief constable Nick Dean has attributed the rise to offenders “using Covid as a weapon” by spitting on officers, an increase in mental health problems throughout the pandemic, and a rise in protests over issues like climate change and Black Lives Matter.

He suggested, “the opening up of the night-time economy with drugs and alcohol prevalent within that environment is also an issue of why we’ve seen an increase”. 

Mr Dean also believes the recording of assaults against police officers has improved, leading to higher figures. 

A similar number of forces saw a decrease in recorded assaults from 2020 to 2021 as forces that suffered an increase, but the national figure remained higher than 2019.

SPITTING: Cambridgeshire's chief constable has attributed the rise in part to offenders "using Covid as a weapon"

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "The increase in assaults on officers is both concerning and totally unacceptable.

"Officers should be able to go about their work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without being spat at, assaulted or suffering any form of abuse.

"Being a victim of a crime cannot be seen as part and parcel of being a police officer.

"Injuries, whether they are physical or psychological, can take a very long time to heal and remove officers from doing what they do best: keeping the public safe and bringing offenders to justice.

"The welfare of any officer who is assaulted is paramount.

"We've made a Seven Point Promise to them, staff and volunteers around the care and support they can expect to receive if they are a victim of such a crime, to ensure they’re looked after and a thorough criminal investigation is carried out.”

A National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesman said: "Police officers and other emergency services workers should not have to face violence, abuse or threats of any kind. It is not part of the job.

"They are trying to help the public, serve their communities and save lives. It’s not acceptable, and with the support of the Crown Prosecution Service we will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who uses violence against front line staff."

❎❎A @PA investigation has revealed assaults against police officers reached almost 80 per day nationwide.

❎❎Responding to the report, @PFEW_Che told @SkyNews: ‘Offenders are weaponising Covid, We’ve also seen the level of violence offered increase significantly.’ pic.twitter.com/cqceqxAXxO

— Police Federation (@PFEW_HQ) December 24, 2021

The Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents over 130,000 police constables, sergeants and inspectors, has condemned the rising number of assaults recorded nationally. 

Ché Donald, national vice-chair of the Police Federation, said: "From the earliest days of the pandemic, colleagues have faced a rising number of unprovoked assaults.

"There is clear evidence this level of violence is not temporary, and it is completely unacceptable this is now being viewed as almost normal.

"We need government and society, in general, to urgently work together to better combat this issue.

"Individuals who attack police officers should also spend lengthy periods in prison but, for this to happen, we need more judges and magistrates to hand down the maximum two-year jail tariffs as a stronger deterrent.

"It’s also important colleagues have the best possible training and equipment.

"We have campaigned for forces to routinely issue body-worn cameras and offer Taser training to those who desire it, but sadly this has yet to be fully adopted.

"The Government also needs to urgently step up to the mark and address the general lack of funding within policing and the staffing crisis faced by many forces due to cuts to the service in the past decade."