'Damned if we do, damned if we don't': Police Federation representative in South Yorkshire speaks out

Steve Kent, chairman of the South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation, which represents the interests of officers, echoed the phrase used by the national chairman of the organisation, John Apter, and added: “A phrase which I’m sure most officers have imprinted on their brain.

“This sums up the feeling of how officers feel on a day to day basis when 99.999 per cent of the time they are working hard and just trying to do the right thing yet face aggressive criticism when they are doing their best.”

Mr Apter used the phrase when discussing the police response to anti-racism demonstrations held across the UK last weekend.

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There was some criticism at the number of officers at some protests, with some claiming there were too many at some but not enough at others.

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A demonstration on Devonshire Green in Sheffield city centre on Saturday passed peacefully, but Steve Kent condemned the violence faced by some officers elsewhere in the country.

“Any violence towards our colleagues is totally unacceptable and inexcusable, no ifs, no buts,” he said.

“Our thoughts go to any of our colleagues in the Met or throughout the country who have been assaulted or injured trying their best to protect the public and keep the protests peaceful.”

National chairman Mr Apter said: “We utterly condemn the violence that has been directed at our officers – those brave men and women who are protecting the public and at a risk to their own safety.

“Police officers are doing a job and should be going home to their families at night, not to hospital. Unfortunately, it is the actions of these few that people will remember most about these protests, a message distorted from its original intentions.

“Our message to anyone thinking of participating in protests is, before you do so please think about the risks you are placing on everyone else, including your family and is there another way to get your voice heard without those associated risks.”