28 January 2021

New survey reveals that a quarter of officers have suffered COVID-related assaults

Dorset Police Federation has urged the Government to make the COVID-19 vaccine available to all police officers, as a new survey reveals that a quarter of officers have suffered COVID-related assaults.

Dorset Police Federation Chair Anna Harvey said: “The Government needs to do the right thing – it cannot ignore what is happening to our members.”

One in four respondents to the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW)’s latest Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey said they had contracted COVID-19, and almost half of those believed they contracted the virus through “work-related activities”.

Almost one in three (32%) reported that a member of the public who was believed to carry the virus had purposely threatened to breathe or cough on them, while 24% said someone had actually done so.

Anna said: “It’s crystal clear – these responses tell us the stark reality of how officers on the frontline are feeling, how many have been victims of disgusting assaults and the psychological impact of policing the pandemic.

“Behind the uniform there is a human being who is doing their utmost to protect the vulnerable, and people sometimes forget this. Sadly we are seeing the effects of the long-term constant demand and the lack of real respite – it’s a worrying picture.

“Our colleagues are contracting COVID, becoming seriously unwell and some are sadly passing away. What we need now is action: the vaccine needs to be available to all officers. The Government needs to do the right thing, it cannot ignore what is happening to our members.”

The PFEW has been lobbying for police officers to be a priority group for vaccination. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has backed key workers getting the COVID-19 vaccine from mid-February, after the top four most vulnerable groups. The Chief Executive of NHS England has said this is a “legitimate discussion”, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far declined to agree with him.

Other findings from the survey suggested police officers had struggled with their workload and mental health over the past year, with 77% of respondents indicating that psychological difficulties had been caused, or made worse, by working within policing.

Over half said they had been the victim of an unarmed physical attack over the previous 12 months, and 53% said they had found it difficult to carry out their duties because they were so fatigued.

Anna added: “We will be working with the force to ensure these results can shape welfare and wellbeing provision offered to officers.”