Federation chair condemns violent assaults on police officers

Lauren Somerville was speaking after body-worn video footage showed a Cleveland Police officer being punched, pinned down and strangled while making an arrest.

He was one of three Cleveland officers who have been violently assaulted in the past year.

She says the impact of violent assaults on police officers “does not end when physical injuries are gone”, and those convicted of such crimes should be put behind bars.

Ms Somerville said: “While it has been reported that the officer suffered no lasting physical injuries, this couldn’t be further from the truth. We know that the impact of violence does not end when the physical injuries are gone.

“We are learning more and more about the cumulative effect, that ‘drip, drip, drip’ trauma of the repeated abuse and assaults on officers. Imagine going home after work and telling your loved ones, when they ask you how your day was, that you were attacked and strangled.

“The trauma is forced into our personal lives and leaves a trace wherever it lands. It leaves loved ones feeling anxious and worried when you’re at work, and creates a strain that is all too familiar for some families.

“The reality is much more than ‘part of the job’. Officers understand they will face abuse, assaults and life-threatening situations. What they should not have to accept is violence becoming routine, but it has become an appalling normality.”

She added: “Criminals who assault police officers must face meaningful custodial sentences. And when compensation is awarded, it should reflect the seriousness of the offence. Token payments that stretch over months do little to provide closure and can serve as an unwelcome reminder of the attack.

“There is support within the force, which is working hard to improve all the time. We must continue to understand the true scale of the problem, reduce the risks, and ensure officers are properly protected both physically and psychologically.”

In this incident, Craig Thompson, 46, was jailed for 20 months at the end of January after being found guilty of burglary, assaulting an emergency worker and strangulation.

Thompson became violent as a Middlesbrough response officer began to arrest him last June on suspicion of a commercial burglary and punched him, pinned him down and strangled him before other officers rushed to the scene to assist their colleague who the force said did not suffer any lasting physical effects from his ordeal.

Then on February 4, 38-year-old William Cash received a 30-month sentence after admitting he assaulted and strangled another Middlesbrough response PC in the early hours of Boxing Day 2024. Cash also has to pay over £200 surcharge fees.

Cash had become volatile as soon as officers arrived at his address, responding to a concern for safely. He initially kicked at the officer who was trying to detain him then a scuffle ensued where Cash bit the same officer twice, got him in a headlock twice and squeezed him with his arm, choking him.

He also made as if to use his Alsatian dog as a weapon against both officers and was sprayed with an incapacitant while numerous other officers rushed to the scene and to their colleagues’ aid.

A third man was dealt with at court the following day (February 5).  Forty-five-year-old Darren McGee received a 45-month sentence following an incident in April last year when police were called to a report of ongoing criminal damage to CCTV cameras in Stockton town centre.

As officers arrived at the scene, McGee tried to make off and as he was being detained, he “violently and painfully” assaulted a male officer before fleeing again, climbing onto a nearby roof to evade police.

Force lead for officer assaults, Chief Inspector Greg Owens, said: “Unfortunately as we’ve seen in just a few days, assaults on police officers are common.

“Worryingly we see them sworn at, spat at and physically and violently assaulted on an almost daily basis.

“This is completely unacceptable, and we will never tolerate assaults on our officers and staff who are simply doing their job; tackling criminals and keeping people safe.

“We always offer appropriate support to anyone affected, while doing all we can to bring perpetrators before the courts.

“I hope the fact that we’ve seen these custodial sentences issued will make anyone tempted to offer violence towards police think again.”