Eleven Kent Police Officers Assaulted in Single Weekend
Eleven Kent Police officers faced shocking violence over one weekend while answering public calls for help. From Friday, 28 June to Sunday, 30 June 2019, officers were spat at, kicked, and threatened while on duty.
Violence Against Frontline Workers on the Rise
During the weekend, officers endured brutal attacks, with incidents including:
- Friday, 28 June – An officer at North Kent Police Station suffered a laceration after being assaulted.
- Sunday, 30 June – An officer in North District was kicked while responding to a domestic abuse call.
- Sunday, 30 June – Medway District saw an officer kicked while dealing with a suspected drunk and disorderly suspect.
Paramedics, nurses, and other emergency workers have also been threatened and attacked, highlighting a worrying trend of violence against blue light staff.
Kent Police Ramp Up Taser Training to Tackle Violent Offenders
To curb the rise in violent attacks, Kent Police are expanding their Taser training programme. At the end of 2018, 334 officers were Taser-trained. That number is set to soar to between 1,000 and 1,500 soon.
The force now offers rigorous training and accreditation for officers to carry Tasers, giving them a less-lethal option when confronting dangerous suspects.
Tougher Sentencing on the Horizon
New measures are also in place to ensure offenders face tougher sentences. Judges now have increased powers when dealing with assaults on emergency workers, aiming to serve as a deterrent and provide better protection for those on the front lines.
The shocking weekend violence highlights the risks Kent’s police and emergency teams face daily – and the urgent need for stronger protections and support.
