'Shocking' rise in attacks on South Yorkshire Police officers

Deputy chief constable Mark Roberts said the figure was up by 56 per cent from data recorded last year.

The figure was branded ‘shocking’ by South Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings.

DCC Roberts has previously reported that officers have been spat at during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is a reminder to the public that violent criminals don’t just enact violence to the public but they carry out such acts to police officers as well,” deputy chief constable Mark Roberts said.

“We’ve got a lot of very brave people out there putting themselves in between the perpetrators and the public themselves to keep them safe.

“Sadly, that means our officers get assaulted on a regular basis which is a real concern.

“We equip them as best we can and expect, and increasingly do see the courts taking an appropriate line when people assault officers or other emergency workers.”

Police & crime commissioner Dr Alan Billings added: “That is a shocking figure that you’ve given there and the overwhelming majority of the public would be equally shocked to hear that.”

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