Page 25 - WMPF Federation Feb-Mar2019-flip_Neat

Violence mars New Year’s celebrations

Violent and aggressive drunks were left on from, booking in which used to take 20 mins and sad that we need this sort of legislation
the streets on New Year’s Eve as there were max can be much longer, and arresting to protect officers and other emergency
not enough officers to arrest them all – the officers instead of dealing with simple stuff service workers but it is only right that anyone
West Midlands Police Federation chair has now hand it over. who thinks it acceptable to assault them gets
claimed. “To give you an example a major town a tougher sentence.
Rich Cooke made the statement in a like Walsall now has no dedicated facility. “It should never been seen as part of the
series of Tweets which he posted on his Prisoners have to be taken to Oldbury or job to be kicked, punched, spat at or assaulted
Twitter account. Wolves. in any other way. Tougher sentences are
They read: “Just got home after the NYE “In traffic it’s a nightmare for officers. needed to punish those who assault the
night shift. “Overall the efficiency of policing is police to make it clear that it will not be
“Reflection - the absolute number of harmed and it affects decision making where tolerated and act as a deterrent to others.”
violent/aggressive drunken idiots who 10, 15 it should never be a consideration!” Two reports were also published at the
years ago feet wouldn’t have touched ground His comments come just months after a end of 2018 which showed the damaging
on way to custody - now simply tolerated. new assaults bill was passed which sets out effect cuts have had on confidence and public
“Reason – we simply hadn’t got the officers tougher sentences for those who attack safety.
to do anything else. Arrests inevitably take police and other emergency service workers. Speaking at the time, Rich said: “You
officers away for hours these days and we With fewer officers on the streets, Rich simply cannot slash police budgets year on
can’t afford to lose them. believes there is the potential for more and year and expect the police to maintain and
“The line of what constitutes acceptable more officers to be assaulted while trying to effective service for their communities,
behaviour is pushed further and further to protect others. particularly at a time when demand is
make ends meet.” Rich explains: “This new law is there to increasing.
He went on to say: “Problem with central protect the very people who, day in, day out, “Cuts do have consequences and clearly
custody is they are inevitably further away night after night, put themselves in harm’s have had an impact on the public we serve
from the majority of officers. way to protect others. but also on police officers whose wellbeing
“We are wasting time travelling to and “The reality is I find it quite disheartening has been severely affected.”

Report highlights lack of police presence

Public confidence in the police service is increasing despite rising crime we joined up to provide.”
and a lack of funding. Stop and search was another
Researchers on behalf of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of element people were asked about 60 per cent
Constabulary, Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), interviewed more with 42 per cent believing the tactic
than 17,000 people for the Public Perceptions of Policing in England is used appropriately however, 29 of people are
and Wales report. per cent admitted they did not
It is the fourth time the survey has been undertaken with the know enough about it to be able to satisfied with
results providing a snapshot of public opinion. answer the question. their local
The report concludes that more than 60 per cent of people are The report contains several
satisfied with their local police - an increase from 53 per cent last year quotes from those surveyed which police
- and that almost three quarters of people feel that police respond mention the effect of the
effectively to 999 calls. Government’s austerity measures,
The news has been welcomed by the Police Federation of England and the respondents’ recognition
and Wales. that officers are unable to do all they want to because of the reduction
The report goes on to say that two thirds of those surveyed felt in officers and resources.
their local police treat people fairly and with respect. Responding to the report, national Federation chair John Apter
The research also reveals that almost two thirds of people, who said: “This research provides and important insight into how the public
had had contact with a police officer in the previous year, were view the police service. The results are reassuring that the majority of
satisfied with the way were dealt with. people still support policing and the difficult job we do.
However, it does highlight concerns around the visibility of officers “The police service has lost almost 22,000 officers since 2010 and,
with fewer than one in four being happy with how often they had seen while we are doing all we can to provide the best service to the public,
a police officer in the previous three months. the consequences of the cuts are increasingly evident to the
Rich Cooke, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, said: “It does communities we serve.”
not come as a surprise that people don’t think they see police officers He added: “The Home Office with the National Police Chiefs’
enough. Dwindling officer numbers means neighbourhood and council have a responsibility to educate the public around police stop
response teams have been cut right back, however it is reassuring to and search powers and how they are used to help keep the public safe
hear that the public have recognised this and are aware of some of the - and it is clear that they are not doing this.
issues we are facing and continue to support us. “Stop and Search is a legitimate and effective tool in the fight
“Our communities deserve better - and we want to deliver it for against serious and violent crime and the public we serve deserve to be
them - but in order to do that we need a significant investment from informed to help them understand its role in modern policing,” he
the Government, without this we will struggle to provide the service concluded.

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