Attacks on emergency workers up 24% on last year

Assaults rise amid string of coughing or spitting attacks as well as disorder during protests

Attackers on emergency service workers have jumped by almost a quarter during the coronavirus crisis and violent protests, figures suggest.

Provisional data from all 43 territorial forces in England and Wales shows assaults on emergency services workers rose by 24 per cent amid a string of coughing or spitting attacks, where Covid-19 has been used as a threat, as well as disorder during protests triggered by the death of George Floyd in the US.

However, there was an 18 per cent drop in overall crime, excluding fraud, in the four weeks to 7 June, compared with the same period last year.

A National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) report published on Friday said: “These offences are recorded in relatively low volumes and it is thought the 24 per cent rise may be driven by increases in common assaults on police constables, including suspects spitting on officers while claiming to be infected with Covid-19.

“The latest rise follows an increase of 14 per cent reported last month and will include some assaults related to disorder in the wake of public protests in early June.”

The NPCC said crime rates are creeping back up towards last year’s levels as coronavirus restriction of movement measures are relaxed.

Previous figures released during the lockdown showed a 28 per cent fall for the four weeks to 12 April, and a 25 per cent decrease for the four weeks to 10 May, compared with the same periods last year.

But there has been an 8 per cent rise in domestic abuse incidents in the latest four-week period compared with last year, and up from 4 per cent in the month to 10 May.

Not all incidents result in a crime being recorded and police chiefs believe the increase could be explained by victims being able to report abuse more easily as lockdown restrictions ease.

NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said: “The rise in domestic abuse incidents is concerning. Our message to victims is to contact us, we will help you.

“You’re not alone – confidential support is also available from many charities and specialist services.

“Assaults on emergency workers who do crucial work for the good of us all are deplorable.

“This is an offence and those caught will be prosecuted with the support of the Crown Prosecution Service.”

John Apter, national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said it was “of serious concern” that assaults on emergency workers had increased while overall crime had dropped, adding: “I do not accept any excuses for this rise – any violence shown towards police officers or any emergency workers must be taken seriously by the criminal justice system and should send the message that this is completely unacceptable.”

Reports of rape plummeted by 47 per cent, there was also a 51 per cent drop in shoplifting, 38 per cent fall in vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles, a 33 per cent dip in house burglaries and 25 per cent decrease in assaults and robbery, according to the NPCC.

Mental health cases had dropped by 2 per cent but were “slowly reaching 2019 levels again”.

Additional reporting by Press Association