Assaults on West Mercia Police officers rise 10%

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion is now calling for communities to support the Behind the Badge campaign – an initiative launched earlier this year in a bid to reduce assaults on officers.

Mr Campion said: “Highlighting this issue is a continued priority for me and whilst I’m pleased to see this being raised at a national level with the Assault of Emergency Workers Bill, there is still a lot more that we can do as communities to ensure dedicated and professional officers and staff, return safely to their families and loved ones.

“Violence against police, or any emergency services workers, is never acceptable.

“It’s important the people can recognise the long lasting impact that assaults have, and that negative behaviour displayed by a minority is challenged. I promise to continue to engage, with our communities, so we can continue to protect those who protect us.”

Between April 2015 and September 2017, there were 1,427 reported offences on duty personnel. In the most recent quarter, from July to September 2017, there were 184 incidents, up an increase in 10 per cent on the previous quarter, which equates to two each day.

Assistant chief constable Martin Evans said: “Police officers do an extremely difficult job in often challenging circumstances. Our officers and staff have a right to come to work and do the job the public ask of them. Committing an assault against a police officer is totally unacceptable and we will protect our workforce from injury by arresting anyone suspected of this, ensuring any incident will be fully investigated and appropriate action taken.”

The second phase of the campaign focuses in at local level, encouraging community groups and local leaders to engage. The research revealed the most common time for assaults against police to occur is in the early hours of Friday and Saturday mornings, so Behind the Badge will now focus on the night time economy.