15 Humberside Police Officers Assaulted a Week Say New Figures

Friday, 18 August 2023 09:19

By Joe Gerrard, LDRS

An average of around 15 Humberside Police officers were assaulted every week in a year, the latest Government figures show.

Home Office figures showed a total of 808 Humberside Police officers were assaulted in the year up to March, with 168 resulting in injuries.

Humberside Police Chief Constable Paul Anderson said the increase came as violence against officers was becoming more frequent nationally.

The Humberside Police Federation stated the amount of assaults on officers was unacceptable.

Jack Suddaby was handed a 21-month suspended jail sentence after biting a police officer after drinking and taking drugs at a Halloween party.

He bit a police officer on a thigh after finding him hiding in a child’s cupboard following an attack on his girlfriend when they returned home.

The 808 Humberside officers assaulted were among the 40,330 assaulted across England and Wales during the 12 months up to March this year.

Of those, 11,022 resulted in injuries.

The total in Humberside was up slightly compared to the previous year, when 799 officers were assaulted, though those resulting in injuries was down by two from 170.

Nationally, the total up to March 2023 was down from 41,221 the year before, including 11,730 assaults which saw officers injured.

But 2023’s total was up from 37,000 in the year up to March 2021, including 11,235 with injuries, and the pre-pandemic total of 30,679 up to March 2020, with 10,410.

In Humberside, 2023’s figure compares to 824 in the year up to March 2021, including 168 with injuries.

Before the pandemic, 758 Humberside officers were assaulted, including 199 who were left injured in the 12 months up to March 2020.

Chief Constable Anderson said the force would deal robustly with anyone who tries to harm or injure officers.

The Chief Constable said:

“Nationally, violence towards police officers is becoming more frequent, and Humberside is no exception.

“Our officers and staff remain dedicated to protecting members of the public, often placing themselves in dangerous situations and putting their own safety at risk to achieve this.”