A SHOCKING 20 per cent rise in officer assaults has prompted West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion to call for an urgent change in the behaviour of this minority.
Mr Campion said people’s attitude needed to be revitalised following the increase which has come about over the last 12 months.
Figures show 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 15 police officers have been 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 he wanted to send a clear message to those who attacked emergency workers and they would face the full force of the law.
“We will not tolerate it and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
