PFNI calls for ‘urgent action’ to counter disturbing upsurge in assaults on officers

Over the past five years, the Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) says eight police officers a day on average were assaulted while on duty.

This included being spat at, head-butted and punched or kicked.

PFNI chair Liam Kelly said this has left many officers off work for long periods at a time when PSNI strength is “at an all-time low”

Assaults on officers causing injury have risen by 55 per cent in just four years – up from 626 in 2018/19 to 971 in 2022/23.

Mr Kelly said: “These figures represent a deeply disturbing upsurge in assaults. Assaults on our officers and staff are totally unacceptable and take a heavy toll on our men and women.

“We are not society’s punchbag or a release valve for those who seek to impose themselves and harm and intimidate others.

“The rate of assaults on officers is worryingly high with official crime statistics recording a total of 3,272 assaults in 2022/23 of which 971 involved injury. This equates to a rise of 7.6 per cent from the previous year in the injury category.

“There is also an element of internal under reporting so the real levels could be significantly worse.”

He added: “Stronger, no-nonsense sentences handed down by the courts would greatly assist to deter would-be attackers. We would appeal to the Justice Minister to move at pace on increased sentencing guidelines in support of both our officers and our emergency service partners.

“As a minimum, I am calling for an urgent action plan from the Department of Justice in collaboration with the PSNI to deal with this upward and worrying trend.

“Our officers do not deserve to be targeted in this manner for simply doing their job. They work tirelessly on behalf of this entire community and any assault on them should be viewed as an assault on society overall.”

The PSNI said the figures were a “stark reminder” of the difficult situations and challenges that officers’ face every day while simply carrying out their job.

Superintendent Gary Busch from the PSNI’s Operational Support Department said: “In 2022/23, we had 3,272 assaults on officers reported to us. It’s important to remember that these are not just statistics but they represent real people with families and they don’t deserve to be assaulted just for just doing their job.

“We, as a Police Service, are committed to investigating these attacks rigorously, just as we would were it a member of the public.

“From today, Monday March 4, the chief constable will provide a statement to case files where officers or staff have been assaulted while on duty, to highlight how these incidents impact both the individuals involved, and the Service as a whole.”

Supt Busch said the assaults on police ranged from being spat at, head-butted, kicked, punched and having missiles thrown at them.

In one incidents, an officer based in Derry City and Strabane received a burn to his arm during disorder in the city last year, which broke out during searches where detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit (TIU) recovered military grade items in the Creevagh Heights area.

Sixteen officers were injured, including a local neighbourhood officer.

The neighbourhood constable said: “During the disorder, a petrol bomb bounced off the side of one of our trucks, before striking me on the arm. I was taken to hospital for treatment to second degree burns and nerve damage which meant I was off work for a month. The worst bit of the whole thing was the toll it took on my family. Thanks to the welfare support in the service and support from my friends and family, I am now back to full duties.”

Supt Busch said that assaults add pressure to an already stretched workforce: “Assaults on our officers and staff place additional unnecessary burden at a time where our resources are already stretched with declining officer numbers. The last thing the service needs is officers not being able to finish their shift due to injury.”

In December 2023, a Newry-based officer was head-butted by a man she was escorting into police custody – the extent of her injuries resulted in a concussion.

The local policing sergeant recalled what happened: “It came as a complete shock to me. All I remember is feeling his head on mine and then seeing stars. I count myself lucky, it could have been much more serious had he got from the front of my head.

“I’m still recovering from the assault, I had pain in my head for two weeks and am still dealing with the mental impact. These type of attacks are not acceptable, we are not human punch bags. We are doing our best to make a difference to the communities we serve.”

Supt Busch commented: “These examples show just two of the 15,230 incidents reported of officers being assaulted since 2019.

“Each of these incidents have the potential to have a long lasting impact, both physically and mentally, on the individual.

“Despite this, they continue to do their job, serve their community and keep people safe. Police officers should never be taken for granted, they do a vital job and whilst we come to work knowing we could be faced with difficult and dangerous situations, it is completely unacceptable that we should be physically attacked.

“Our priority is the safety and welfare of all our staff and to ensure support is available when it’s needed. Assaults on police pose a serious threat to the vital service police provide and we will continue work with the PFNI to support our officers.

“Our message to those who think this behaviour is acceptable, it is not; it should not be seen as ‘part of the job’ and we will pursue those individuals and bring them before the courts.”

Northern Ireland Policing Board chair Deirdre Toner said: “It is shocking that on average, eight police officers are assaulted every single day in their service to the community.

“Being attacked is not anybody’s ‘normal day’ at work. Assaults against police officers are condemned by the Board and must be condemned right across the community.  The Board called for tougher sentencing for those who attack police and other emergency service workers and welcomes the recent commitment by the Justice Minister to bring forward legislation to address this.

“These incidents have a serious impact on individuals and on the Service so it remains crucial that those who have been subject to attack receive the proper Occupational Health and Welfare support from the Police Service. The Board will continue its discussions with the chief constable on this important issue.”

Justice Minister Naomi Long also condemned the attacks on PSNI officers. She said: “Attacks on police officers, indeed attacks on any public servant are totally unacceptable.

“Everyone deserves to be able to carry out their duties without fear of attack or reprisal and those who carry out such attacks should feel the full force of the law being brought down upon them.

“That is why I intend to bring forward new legislation to reform the law on sentencing by increasing the maximum sentence for such attacks and making serious assaults on front line workers a statutory aggravating factor.”

Commenting on the impact such attacks have on PSNI officers, the Ms Long added: “The testimonies from officers clearly demonstrate the impact that assaults and attacks have on officers and their families, both physically and mentally.

“I would like to place on record my appreciation to police officers and police staff for the critical role they play in keeping everyone in society safe and protected.”