A CHIEF inspector has said violence against police and other emergency services workers would not be tolerated after six of his officers in Redditch and Bromsgrove were assaulted in the space of ten days.
Ch Insp Ed Hancox’s warning comes after a 17 per cent increase in police officers being attacked in the last six months of 2019.
“The majority of people would not even contemplate attacking police officers or other emergency services workers but there is a small minority who need to be reminded this is just not acceptable.”
He welcomed the 2018 Emergency Services Act which increased maximum jail terms from six months to 12 for those who attack police, fire and ambulance staff.
And he praised West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion’s ‘Behind the Badge’ campaign aimed at changing attitudes and behaviour towards those in uniform.
“None of our officers go to work to be assaulted and for them to want to return home at the end of their shift to their family is not an unreasonable ask,” he added.
“Both the act and campaign recognise there is a person behind the uniform and if they are attacked, they are a victim of crime as well – it is not just part of the job.
“Attacks on anyone can have a devastating impact on them and their loved ones and this has to stop.”
He added he felt part of the increase was down to officers feeling more comfortable and confident about reporting attacks but added the minority needed to show more respect to the emergency services.
In Redditch a man was arrested after an officer was punched in the face on Monday, February 17, an officer sustained a hand injury during an arrest on February 15 and two officers were bitten and punched when a teenager was held on February 8.
There was also an incident in Wythall on January 28 when a police officer was dragged along by a car. A man has been arrested and charged for that.
