There were 45,907 assaults on police officers in England & Wales last financial year.
That’s 5,500+ more than last year and a staggering 20,000 more assaults on your police officers than there were in 2017.
According to Home Office figures, 6,556 Metropolitan Police officers were assaulted last year. That’s more than 126 every week.
More than 18 every single day.
Rick Prior, Chair of The Metropolitan Police Federation said: “Our courageous colleagues are out there every day policing the streets of London and keeping people safe. Too often we see them come under attack.
“Kicked, punched, attacked with knives and driven at. Bottles and stones thrown at them. These officers are people’s loved ones. They are human beings, they are the husbands, wives and partners, children and parents.
“They do not join the job to be assaulted. We need to protect the protectors and get far away from the notion that being assaulted is part of the job. It is not - and we need proper deterrents in place to discourage would-be attackers.
“The concern from many colleagues is that if – when they come under attack – they decide to use force to defend themselves or protect colleagues or the public, that they will then face years of investigation and accusations.
“We hear of colleagues who would rather be assaulted than go through that. This can’t be right. And we need backing from politicians and chief officers over this. Our police officers are not punch bags there to deal with all society’s anger. Enough is enough.”
