Page 17 - WMPF Federation FebMar2021-Hi_Neat

New CPS statistics

‘Jail sentences

needed for those who

weaponise Covid’

ffenders who weaponise Covid-19 said of the figures: “Particularly appalling is nothing of deliberately weaponising the
should receive jail sentences to the high number of assaults on emergency virus, and these people are the lowest of the
Oreflect the despicable nature of the workers still taking place and I will continue low.
offence, says the chair of West Midlands to do everything in my power to protect “The frustration we have in dealing with
Police Federation. those who so selflessly keep us safe during these individuals involves sentencing, as it’s
Jon Nott said that latest figures released this crisis.” inconsistent and often leaves victims feeling
by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) National Federation chair John Apter has completely let down by the criminal justice
showed the extent of the problem and also spoken out on the latest figures and system.”
called for urgent action to protect officers. called for jail sentences for offenders so that He added: “We have recently seen
A total of 1,688 offences out of 6,500 emergency workers did not feel let down by examples of Covid being transmitted to
coronavirus-related crimes recorded by the the justice system. colleagues through these attacks. When
CPS between 1 April and 30 September last He said: “Being spat and coughed at, in someone knowingly has the virus or believes
year were classed as assaults on emergency the middle of a pandemic which has taken they have it and then wilfully coughs or spits
service workers. so many lives, is disgusting, dangerous and at a police officer, we need the CPS to
In pressing for tougher sentences for inhumane. In some cases, individuals who consider a much more serious charge than
those who attack police officers and other commit these offences are even saying they the ‘Assaults on emergency workers’
emergency services personnel, Jon said: “I have the virus and hope the officer catches it category. Without this, these types of
still find it difficult to comprehend that so then dies. attacks will continue to rise.”
many people have sought to weaponise the “This stark increase in coronavirus-
virus. The pandemic is tough on everyone related crime may shock decent members of
but police officers are on the frontline trying society but will not come as any real
to protect their communities and they surprise to colleagues. Police
should not be spat at or coughed over by officers on the frontline are
mindless individuals claiming to have the increasingly facing
virus. abuse from a small
“They are facing a risk to their own minority who think
health and that of their families while going
about their duties as it is but this just adds
another pressure for them. We need to see
the CPS and the courts get tough on these
offenders – both to punish them and act as
a deterrent to others.”
As well as prosecuting offences under
Covid-19 legislation, the CPS has introduced
a ‘coronavirus flag’ on its case management
system to highlight criminality related to
the pandemic as an aggravating feature at
sentencing.
This can include coughing and spitting
while threatening to ‘infect’ another person
with the virus, thefts of essential items or
fraudsters taking advantage of the crisis.
In the first six months of the pandemic,
the number of cases given the coronavirus
flag included: coronavirus offences, 1,137;
public order offences, 480; criminal damage,
466; common assaults, 464 and other
offences, 2,234.
Max Hill, Director of Public Prosecutions,

www.polfed.org/westmids federation February/March 2021 17