PCC John Campion has called for an urgent change in attitudes and behaviour as officer assaults increase by nearly 20% over the last twelve months.
Figures show that in 2018/19 there were 538 assaults in West Mercia on frontline officers, including Special Constables and PCSOs, with the figure for 2019/20 rising to 659. In the first three months of this year, one in fifteen police officers were assaulted.
PCC John 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.
“I want to send a clear message to those who attack our emergency workers that we, as a community, will not tolerated it, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice. I will continue to highlight and challenge assaults on officers as part of my commitment to deliver a safer and more secure West Mercia. We must do all we can to protect those who protect us.”
Published 18th June 2020