A SHOCKING 20 per cent increase in officer assaults has seen West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner call for urgent change.
PCC John Campion says attitudes need to be revitalised following the increase over the last twelve months.
Figures show that in 2018/19 there were 538 assaults on frontline officers in West Mercia including special constables and PCSOs.
In 2019/20, assaults increased to 659 and in the first three months of this year alone, one in fifteen police officers were assaulted.
Mr Campion said: “Violence against police or anyone within the emergency services is never acceptable.
“We, as a community, have been standing on our doorsteps during the Covid-19 pandemic clapping our key workers at the same time as assaults against emergency workers are increasing.
“We need to recognise the long lasting impact that these assaults can have and that it’s vital that this toxic behaviour, displayed by a minority, is challenged.”
Mr Campion added that he wants to send a clear message to those who attack emergency workers.
“We will not tolerate it and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
