Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion is continuing his Behind the Badge campaign, as assaults against police increase by 10% this quarter.
Behind the Badge, launched earlier this year and focuses on reducing incidents by challenging behaviours, and encouraging people to recognise and respect that police officers are people outside of the uniform.
The second phase of the campaign focuses in at local level, encouraging community groups and local leaders to engage. The most common time for assaults against police to occur is in the early hours of Friday and Saturday mornings, so a particular focus will be around the night time economy. There will also be a focus on changing offender behaviour, through probation and prison services.
Commissioner John Campion said “Highlighting this issue is a continued priority for me, and whilst I’m pleased to see this being raised at a national level with the Assault of Emergency Workers Bill, there is still a lot more that we can do as communities to ensure dedicated and professional officers and staff, return safely to their families and loved ones.
Violence against police, or any emergency services workers is never acceptable. It’s important the people can recognise the long lasting impact that assaults have, and that negative behaviour displayed by a minority is challenged. I promise to continue to engage, with our communities, so we can continue to protect those who protect us.”
West Mercia Police, Assistant Chief Constable Martin Evans said “Police officers do an extremely difficult job in often challenging circumstances. Our officers and staff have a right to come to work and do the job the public ask of them. Committing an assault against a police officer is totally unacceptable and we will protect our workforce from injury by arresting anyone suspected of this, ensuring any incident will be fully investigated and appropriate action taken.”
Sergeant Russell Yeomans, Chair of the West Mercia Police Federation said “I would encourage the public to get behind this campaign, and the national Protect the Protectors campaign, led by the Police Federation. We fully support John Campion’s approach of highlighting this at a local level in order to challenge unacceptable behaviour.”
The above video has been produced in support of the campaign in which West Mercia PC Jon Townsend talks about the impact of an assault.
Follow the campaign on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram: @WestMerciaPCC #BehindTheBadge
For more information click here.
Issued: Wednesday 8th November 2017
