Increase in assaults against Wiltshire Police officers during pandemic
The force says it's 'completely unacceptable' and it's 'not just part of the job'
The number of officers on the frontline at Wiltshire Police facing assaults while they're on duty has been on the rise over recent months.
We're told that a total of 143 assaults were recorded on officers and staff between July and December last year.
63 of those (44%) resulted in an injury.
Things aren't getting better either, with five assaults against officers having happened during 2021 already.
Deputy Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, Paul Mills, said:
"Every day our officers and staff are out keeping our communities staff and helping to prevent the spread of the virus.
"Whilst we continue to be grateful for the ongoing support from the public, it is saddening to see that a minority of the public continue to believe it is acceptable to assault our officers and staff in the course of their duties.
"Our staff are normal members of our communities, who have families and the same concerns that we all have as we look to combat the virus - being assaulted on duty - either physically or verbally - is not just 'part of the job' and is completely unacceptable.
"We will not tolerate assaults upon our officers and staff or other emergency services workers and will, with the support of the courts, robustly bring to justice those who assault the protectors of our communities."
MORE COVID FINES ISSUED IN WILTSHIRE
The force say they've had to deal with more incidents where have been breaching the Covid-19 regulations and lockdown rules.
Between Monday 18th and Sunday 24th January, we're told in addition to the above, Wiltshire Police also:
- Recorded 6 interactions or engagement with the public - two of those were for large groups with four for people not wearing masks
- 321 reports were made by members of the public, either via the phone or using our online reporting tool to let officers know about potential breaches
- Recorded four Covid-related crimes and 25 Covid-related incidents
Since the pandemic began, a total of 372 fines have been issued, with some of those being 'retrospective fixed penalty notices' for previous incidents.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson has responded to reports of more of the county's officers being assaulted:
"It is never acceptable for officers, staff or volunteers to be assaulted as they undertake their duties to protect us all from harm.
"Particularly when they are potentially putting themselves in harm's way in terms of risk of exposure to COVID, it is even more frustrating to hear the level of violence they face.
"The law changed in 2018 which, quite rightly, means it is an offence to assault any member of the emergency services whilst they try and help those in need.
"I would continue to urge everyone to follow the national restrictions which quite clearly state you might stay at home as much as you can to protect the NHS and save lives."