Hope #ProtectTheProtectors Law Protects Essex Officers

THE ‘deterrent’ element of the new Protect the Protectors Act will be key in reducing violent assaults on police officers, Steve Taylor Chairman of Essex Police Federation has said.

Essex officers were recently subject to a slew of assaults suggesting the hoped-for deterrent element of the new law is yet to bear fruit, Steve added.

The new legislation is now law and gives courts the power to hand down custodial sentences of up to a year to thugs who attack emergency service workers.

“We had high hopes of the deterrent effect of the new legislation, because as we know the additional sanction isn’t applicable to police officers.

“So, all our hopes are pinned on the deterrent element. Evidence in Essex recently suggests that that message hasn’t yet been received by the wider community.

“So, we look with interest to see how our partners in the criminal justice system will deal with those under the new legislation and hopefully they can reinforce the deterrent.

“The law will only be as good as how much Magistrates and courts use the new powers, so we are on a journey with it,” he added.