Further increases in sentencing ‘could be meaningless’ without full support of Courts
Police Federation of England and Wales
The National Chair of the Police Federation has welcomed a Government-led consultation into doubling sentences for offenders who assault emergency workers and described it is an opportunity to ensure police officers who are attacked while doing their job feel supported by the Criminal Justice System.
The four-week review into the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 was launched today by Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland and Home Secretary Priti Patel and could result in maximum sentences being doubled from one year to two.
PFEW National Chair John Apter said: “The Police Federation has been relentless in pushing for an increase in maximum jail sentences for those who attack emergency workers.
“However, any further increases in sentencing could be meaningless without the full support of the Courts. This should include consistency of sentencing, which is not the case at this time.
“That is why the Police Federation has been working closely alongside the Sentencing Council to reform sentencing guidelines, bring these up to date, and make them fit for purpose.
“Assaulting a police officer is completely unacceptable and there must be a suitable deterrent. I accept there will always be times where an offender does not receive a custodial sentence. However, this must be the exception and not the norm.”
