Six police officers assaulted in the line of duty in one weekend in South Yorkshire
“Violence and abuse against police officers shouldn't be normalised or dismissed as 'part of the job'”
Six South Yorkshire police officers were assaulted in the line of duty in one weekend - including choke holds and a kick to the head.
Several of the violent attacks last weekend happened during domestic and family incidents however in one case a man in mental health crisis near train tracks led to three officers being assaulted, with one left with concussion and suspected ligament damage to their ankle.
A South Yorkshire Police said its 3,000 officers were “committed” to protecting others and passionate about keeping our communities safe.
However the force added: “There are some challenges officers shouldn't have face and being physically assaulted and verbally abused is not something anyone should have to accept as part of the job.”
Officers are hurt responding to incidents on a daily basis however a particularly shocking case was that of PC Lisa Bates.
She lost a finger, suffered a deep wound to her head, a fractured skull and a smashed ankle when Nathan Sumner repeatedly hit her with an axe in 2016.
She and fellow officer PC Mark Garrett were responding to a reported disturbance at Sumner's Sheffield flat when they were attacked. Sumner, then 35, was jailed for 15 years.
South Yorkshire Police’s Superintendent Pete Spratt said: "Our officers understand that policing will always involve a degree of risk and when they put on the uniform, they will likely face difficult and unpredictable situations.
“What they should not have to accept is being assaulted because they are doing their job. Violence and abuse against police officers shouldn't be normalised or dismissed as 'part of the job' - it is not acceptable and never will be.
"I want to take this opportunity to recognise the dedication of the six officers who were assaulted over the weekend.
“All those who were physically able to do so returned to work - not because they had to, but because they are dedicated to their duties and continuing to protect people.
“But we cannot overlook the fact that incidents of assault and abuse often can have significant physical and psychological impacts on an individual and the people around them.
“Police officers are human beings too, with their own levels of physical and mental resilience, and we must not forget that."
The attacks on the police officers remain under investigation, with two individuals currently charged with assaulting a police constable.