Attacks on Sussex Police officers hits four-year high
It's been described as "disgusting" by the Police Federation
New data from the Home Office shows attacks on Police officers in Sussex hit a four-year high during the coronavirus pandemic, despite multiple lockdowns.
1,235 attacks were recorded between April 2020 and March 2021, working out at an average of three a day.
It's an increase of just under 100 on the previous year and the highest amount since comparable records began in 2017/18.
Of the attacks in the last year, more than 320 resulted in an injury to the officer.
The local figures reflect a national jump. Across England and Wales assaults on officers increased by 14% to 37,000.
Daren Egan, Chair of the Sussex Police Federation said: "When we talk about assaults on Police officers, we talk about officers getting cuts, bruises, fractures. That's not mentioning the psychological effects which stay with you.
Many of the attacks in the last year included what's been described as 'weaponising Covid' with officers being spat and coughed at.
Daren continued: "Officers have had a really hard time during the lockdown. A lot of the legislation that was coming through, the guidance wasn't coming with it...a lot of them had families and people at home when they didn't have sufficient PPE.
The Sussex Police Federation has been pushing for stronger custodial sentences to be brought in for anyone found guilty of assaulting a police officer.
Daren said: "Do I think a custodial is a deterrent for assaulting someone? In my experience yes it is. When I was younger you expected that you'd probably go to prison. Sadly that's not the case and that's not the case I've seen over the last 10 to 15 years.
The Home Office said it had provided funding to police forces in England and Wales for more than 7,000 Taser devices to help protect officers.
A spokesperson added: "Our brave police officers go to work every day to protect the public and being attacked should never be part of the job.
“Anyone who commits these despicable assaults should expect to face the full force of the law."