Assaulting Police Should Lead To Mandatory Prison Sentence

SOUTH Yorkshire Police Federation is backing calls for mandatory prison sentences to be handed down to anyone who assaults a police officer.

New Police Crime and Commissioner Chief Katy Bourne recently went on record to call for “no ifs, no buts” custodial sentences for those who attack officers, a stance echoed by Federation Chairman Steve Kent.

He said it is the only way to send out a message to would be assaulters.

Steve explained: “There needs to be mandatory prison sentences for assaults on police. I would suggest six months mandatory for a common assault, which is obviously very minor but would send out a message.

“It could be two years mandatory for the next one up, which is AOABH (Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm) and then eight years minimum for serious assaults.

“The thing is, once that starts, if that word gets out, then people are going to realise and it’s going to be in the back of their mind that if they assault that cop when they’re just doing their duty, then they’re going to be automatically going into prison.

“I’ve been assaulted myself a couple of times and no one’s ever gone to prison for assaulting me. It’s something that needs to be changed and that’s the way I think we need to change it. So, I totally agree with Katy Bourne’s comments.”