Wiltshire's services uniting to highlight emergency worker assaults
Several forces in the country are also taking part
A number of emergency services across Wiltshire are launching Operation Cavell today (Monday 10th October) to highlight the increasing number of assaults against all types of emergency worker.
Wiltshire Police, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Rescue Service, South Western Ambulance and Wiltshire Council are just some of the organisations uniting.
The aim is to prosecute more offenders of this type of crime.
In 2021, there were 299 reported assaults on Police Officers of which 14 caused Actual Bodily Harm.
Wiltshire Police Chief Constable says that is unacceptable.
Kier Pritchard said:
“My Officers and staff who face daily dangers and see traumatic incidents during their work, it strikes me that it is a sad reflection of modern society that Operation Cavell is needed to raise awareness of the number of assaults on their persons.
“Nobody should be put in a position where they are physically or verbally assaulted in their workplace – wherever that may be. As such we are committed to supporting all emergency workers to secure convictions on those members of the public who believe that violence or abusive language is an appropriate course of action. It’s not part of the job.”
Operation Cavell is being introduced across several Force areas in the central south of England and will encourage members of the emergency services to report assaults.
Anyone found guilty could face up to 2 years in prison.
Meanwhile, in the event of an emergency worker being unlawfully killed on duty there is now a mandatory life sentence with the introduction of Harpers Law.