There have been 36 arrest in January alone following assaults on Police Officers.
North Yorkshire Police figures show that in the last month, 36 arrests have been made following assaults on emergency service personnel – an average of more than one a day.
They include punches, kicks, biting, assaults with a weapon and spitting.
Over the past six months, the number recorded in the county has risen by 45% compared to the same period last year. They include police, fire and ambulance employees.
Official figures show that in the six months leading up to the end of January 2020, North Yorkshire Police made 104 arrests following assaults against emergency services workers.
But in the same period up to late January 2021, 150 arrests were made – an increase of 45%.
The situation in North Yorkshire reflects a wider trend, with other forces reporting rising numbers of officer assaults.
One force, Leicestershire, reported an increase of more than 100% in 2020.
North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lisa Winward said:
“I have been saddened to see such a shocking rise in assaults over the last year. All the officers and staff across North Yorkshire Police go to work each day to protect the public and to serve the communities of North Yorkshire, and any assault against them is unacceptable.”
The Crown Prosecution Service recently revealed that assaults against emergency service workers is the most common form of Covid-related crime.
Of the 6,500 prosecutions that were specifically categorised as Covid-related between the beginning of April and end of September last year, 1,688 involved assaults on emergency services workers, according to official data.
North Yorkshire Police Federation, which looks after the welfare of officers in the county, said:
“We recognise that the increase over the last six months of 45% compared to last year is shocking and that is why we support the National Police Federation’s drive for the Protect the Protectors campaign and the increase in sentencing.
“One assault on officers is one too many – officers do not come to work to be assaulted whether this is a punch, kick, bite or the current trend in this pandemic of spitting and claiming to have Covid.
“Officers come to work to protect the vulnerable and safeguard our communities and should be allowed to carry out this role without the fear of being assaulted or abused."
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