Progress is being made in prosecuting those who assault police officers, says Federation

THE length of sentences given to thugs who attack police officers are slowly improving, says Essex Police Federation.

The recent PFEW led Protect the Protectors campaign successfully doubled the length of sentence available to be handed down by the courts to 12 months for anyone who assaults a blue light worker.

The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill became law in November last year and tougher sentences are starting to filter into the system, says Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor.

It’s been helped by recent shows such as Channel Five’s Police Code Zero highlighting some of the violence against them officers have to suffer on the frontline.

“My sense is that we are seeing an improvement in sentencing,” Steve said.

“We are seeing an improvement in how our colleagues in the criminal justice system deal with those found wanting when it comes to assaults on police. There’s still, always, more that we can do. But I think we are moving in the right direction with it.

“[With police TV programmes] I think it’s really important to try and strike the balance between educating and seeing some of the horrific nature of some of the incidents and experiences that colleagues endure against voyeurism, with that ‘come and have a look at this’ attitude and it turning into some kind of spectator sport.

“So, if we are going to use it, we’ve got to use it appropriately, we’ve got to use it sensibly. Obviously with the consent of those it contains. So, tread carefully, but there is value in what these programmes can do.”