Assaults on Emergency Workers Soar by 29% in August
Violence against emergency service workers has shot up by a staggering 29 per cent in August compared to last year. The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has slammed the spike, calling it “unacceptable and appalling.”
Police Chief Demands Tougher Action
John Apter, PFEW National Chair, slammed attackers: “Police officers are doing their best to protect the public during this pandemic. Some people need to take a long, hard look at themselves. Assaulting frontline workers—whether police, fire, health, or prison staff—must not be tolerated. Those responsible must face the full force of the law.”
Other Crime Stats Highlight Growing Pressure on Police
- Mental health-related incidents rose by 5%
- Overall police-recorded crime dropped 3% from 2019 levels
- Reported rapes climbed 4%
- Domestic abuse incidents increased by 7%
Apter explained the trends: “The return to pre-COVID crime levels isn’t surprising. During lockdown, fewer people were out, so less crime occurred. The rise in mental health call outs is also expected—police are often the first point of contact for those in crisis.”
He added a stark warning: “My colleagues will continue to serve, but there’s no magic box of extra officers on standby. Policing is under huge strain and will struggle to meet this growing demand.”
