Federation chair to raise officer assault sentencing with Patel

The Police Federation will meet with the Home Secretary in the New Year to discuss harsher sentences for those who assault officers.

John Apter, Chairman of the Police Federation, has said he will meet with Priti Patel in the New Year to ensure tougher sentences for those convicted of assaulting a police officer.

Mr Apter said: “Violent offenders simply cannot continue be allowed to walk away with a slap on the wrist and a sneer on their face after assaulting a police officer.”

Mr Apter’s statement follows an attack on two Metropolitan Police officers who were intentionally hit by a car in Camden in the early hours of Sunday (29 December) morning.

The police constables were responding to reports of a man with a knife near Camden Market at around 2:30am. After they attempted to speak to the suspect, he got into a vehicle and drove at them. He then fled the scene with two female passengers.

The officers were taken to hospital. Their injuries were not life threatening or life-changing and both have since been discharged.

Raj Kohli, Borough Command Unit Commander for Camden and Islington said: “Our officers go to work every day to protect Londoners and the many visitors to the capital. Last night, two of these officers attempted to carry out a routine stop after concerns were raised by a member of the public that a man had a knife.

“This man drove a car towards the officers without any consideration for what the outcome might be. It is only a matter of luck that neither officer suffered even more serious injuries than those they sustained.”

This attack comes after the subject of tougher sentencing for those who have assaulted police officers, expected to be one of the government’s post-Brexit priorities, was left out of the Queen’s Speech in December. It was allegedly dropped due to disagreements between the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice.

Mr Apter said: “The courts need to deal with attacks on police officers far more robustly. We are seeing far too many cases of assaults on officers being plea bargained away or magistrates and the judiciary not utilising existing sentences to send a clear and unequivocal message that this type of behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

He went on to say: “How many more officers must be injured before the CPS and courts challenge and deal with this type of behaviour through existing legislation? If the judiciary and magistrates won’t offer the full protection of the law to our members, then the only answer will be to change sentencing guidelines and enforce stricter sentences.

“I have been calling for harsher sentences for those convicted of assaulting police officers. The Home Secretary has supported this, and I will be meeting her in the New Year to ensure this happens.”