Officer assaults: maximum sentences to double to two years

9 March 2021

The maximum sentence for assaulting police officers and other emergency service workers will be doubled to two years under a new bill being unveiled in Parliament today.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill seeks to equip the police with the powers and tools they need to protect themselves and the public.

“This bill introduces a number of measures that will make a real difference to police officers,” explains Darren Harris, chair of Suffolk Police Federation, “The issue surrounding officer assaults is something the Federation has raised time and time again.

“Our Protect the Protectors campaign led in 2018 to a 12-month maximum sentence being introduced for those who assault police and other emergency service workers. But sadly that has been ineffective in terms of both punishing offenders or deterring others so we hope that by increasing the maximum sentence to two years we will see a change.

“Police officers and their emergency service colleagues should not be subjected to assaults while carrying out their duties and the courts need to hand down the toughest sentences possible so the doubling of the jail term available to them is welcomed, particularly in the light of the fact that in the last year we have seen some despicable people seeking to weaponise Covid-19 when spitting or coughing over police officers.”

The bill includes plans for a Police Covenant which will give serving and former members of the police service health and wellbeing support, physical protection and support for their families, with the Home Secretary being required to report on progress each year to Parliament.

It will also give better legal protection to police drivers setting out that their driving standards will be judged against the ‘competent and careful peer’ with the same training, rather than with a member of the public.

In addition, the bill will allow Special Constables to formally join the Police Federation.

The bill has been welcomed by the national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales.

John Apter said: “This bill contains a number of important changes we have been campaigning for over many years to give greater protection to police officers, and recognise the unpredictable, dangerous and demanding job they do.  

“This is the first step to bring these changes into law; we must grab this opportunity and ensure the Bill brings about a positive, meaningful and tangible difference for our colleagues.”