Accuracy of assault against officer figures is concerning

POLICE officer assaults need to be accurately recorded – as well as the times police officers have to use force against the public, South Yorkshire Police Federation has said.

Neil Bowles, Federation Chairman, said it was “not acceptable” that police officers are assaulted on duty. 

In a 94-page IPCC Use of Force report there was no mention of the 23,000 assaults on police officers in England and Wales over the past year, amounting to 63 a day.

There were 35 mentions of the word “assault” in the report – not one referring to those suffered by police.

Mr Bowles said: “I’ve been concerned about accuracy of [assault] figures in South Yorkshire for some time and in fact we have set up our own gold group to look at it.

“Someone in business change management was actually writing a report, and that process has sort of stalled at the moment so I am looking to discuss how we actually proceed with it and what sort of policy is going to come out of it.”

He said the force needs to “make sure that both the numbering and recording is accurate, and the right amount of welfare and support are put into place for the individual assaulted.

“And that the public are informed about it and the fact that it’s not acceptable to use violence against police officers.”

The Independent Police Complaints Commissioner has recommended that “all police forces provide people who have had force used against them with information about how to give feedback about their experience”.

Recommendation 5 of the Independent Police Complaints Commission Police Use of Force report stated that “We recommend that all police forces provide people who have had force used against them with information about how to give feedback about their experience, including information about making a complaint.

“Complaints are a valuable source of information that can help to improve police practice.”

Mr Bowles added: “We’re there to enforce the law and some people aren’t going to be compliant and there’s legislation authorising police officers to use force. Officers need to be trained properly in how to use the minimum, appropriate, necessary force in the circumstances.”

He called for forces to back their officers when they use force in a legitimate way.

“Society expects us to enforce the law, but we must do so proportionately and legitimately only where necessary,” said Mr Bowles.