“Sentences for assaulting officers must reflect gravity of crime”

WHICHEVER Government is in power post the General Election must recognise that sentences for those assaulting police officers need to reflect the gravity of the crime.

That was the message from Jim Gray, Northumbria Police Federation Chairman, after he heard from politicians at the Police Federation of England and Wales’ Annual Conference in Birmingham.

The issue of assaults on police officers was addressed during a question and answer session after a speech from Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

Jim said: “I was really disappointed to see that the Home Secretary believed there was enough protection in law for officers who have been assaulted in terms of offenders’ sentences. Clearly there is not. The sentences that we see are woeful. As far as we’re concerned, whichever Government is in power post-election must recognise that sentences need to reflect the gravity of the crime.”

However, the Home Secretary did concede that perhaps she did not have properly understand the demands on the police service, and agreed to a tour of forces to gain a “warts and all” view.

Mr Gray added: “It was heartening to hear her say she would come out to see the real picture if she remains in post.”

Officers at the conference asked Home Secretary if she would increase their pay by 2.8%, as requested by the Police Federation of England and Wales.

But the 1% pay cap for all public services would remain in place until at least 2019 should the Conservatives return to power, the Home Secretary said at her inaugural address to conference.

Mr Gray said: ‘Her address was unfortunately and unsurprisingly disappointing. Ms Rudd brought nothing for members of the Police Federation. She didn’t seem to the recognise the service as it stands in terms of the pressures on officers, the ever-increasing demands they face, and the reality of turning up to work in an environment when morale is lower than it has ever been.

“And it was really disappointing to hear that – should the Conservative Government be re-elected – there’s going to be no movement around pay, which begs the question, what is the point of a pay remuneration body if the reality is that 1% is a predetermined outcome? What is the point of us going through a whole presentation and evidencing why officers should be paid more – just to keep up with the rate of inflation – if nothing is going to be done about it?”