• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact us
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home News

More criminals who attack emergency workers fined than jailed, figures show

Figures show 13% of convictions over 11 months resulted in immediate custodial sentences and 18% were fined.

Joe Mellor by Joe Mellor
2020-02-21 16:27
in News
Credit;PA

Credit;PA

FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

Just 13% of criminals who attack police and emergency workers are being sent to jail with more being let off with a fine, official figures show.

The average time behind bars was never longer than three months, according to data covering the first 11 months since new sentencing laws for attacks on emergency workers were introduced.

From the middle of November 2018, the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act doubled the previous maximum sentence to 12 months in jail for such offences.

Campaigners have branded the figures a “disgrace and an insult”, leaving offenders “sticking two fingers up to the system” after getting a “slap on the wrist”.

There were 11,964 prosecutions for assaulting a constable and assault or assault by beating an emergency worker between November 2018 and September 2019, according to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) statistics.

Around 80% of the prosecutions resulted in convictions (9,629) during this period.

Of these, 13% (1,518) were handed an immediate custodial sentence while 18% of the cases resulted in a fine (2,137).

RelatedPosts

Move over, Boris: Finland’s PM is a proper raver

Mick Lynch makes rapturous speech as Enough is Enough gathers momentum

Britain is suffering the worst inflation crisis in the G7

Victory for Burnham as Manchester bus fares capped at £2 for adults and £1 for children

Police Federation
Police Federation national chairman John Apter (Steve Parsons/PA)

The number of people jailed for assault or assault by beating of an emergency worker has steadily increased each month since the new law was introduced, from 25 in November 2018 to 165 in September last year.

The average custodial sentence length per month was consistently lower than three months during the period, according to the figures.

John Apter, national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, called for magistrates to do more to protect his colleagues.

He said: “From previous Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) data, we know 90% of those attacked are police officers and these figures confirm most people who attack them are still receiving nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

“The fact nearly nine out of 10 individuals who are charged under the new Act walk free from a court is a disgrace and an insult.

“Offenders are sticking two fingers up to the system, which is unacceptable and needs to change.”

The federation has long campaigned for tougher punishments for those who attack emergency workers.

Mr Apter said changes in the law were “intended to protect police officers, act as a deterrent, and punish those who have no regard for the rule of law”, adding: “While we welcome the high conviction rate, a few weeks in jail is certainly not a sufficient penalty for any assault which could have a devastating personal impact on my colleagues and their families.”

Justice officials say decisions on sentencing are a matter for the courts and the figures will include sentences for low-level offences which may not typically warrant an immediate custodial sentence.

Mr Apter said the laws and the Home Secretary’s previous pledge to double the maximum sentence to two years were welcome but would be “useless until magistrates step up to the plate and dish out the maximum sentence of one year which is already at their disposal”.

He also called on the CPS to make sure it is bringing charges for the right offences, adding: “The time has come that sentencing guidelines must now include a minimum tariff for this offence, and there must be a consequence for attacking and assaulting a police officer.”

Since you are here

Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.

Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.

Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.

If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.

To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.

The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.

The shop can be found here.

You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending on TLE

  • All
  • trending
Abdollah

‘Rescue us’: Afghan teacher begs UK to help him escape Taliban

CHOMSKY: “If Corbyn had been elected, Britain would be pursuing a much more sane course”

What If We Got Rid Of Prisons?

More from TLE

Some Hope For Our Living Planet

Train operator to stop passengers travelling without a reservation

The Evolution of the Build-to-Rent sector in the UK

Wealthy mum bit young daughter and hit son in the face

Another Madeley moment: GMB host attributes scientist’s stance on mask-wearing to communist beliefs

Bohemian FC calls for end to Direct Provision with ‘refugees welcome’ shirt

‘Hope series two ends a lot better than first one’ – Leeds United launch their version of Sunderland ‘Til I die

Film Review: Custody

Daily raffle to reward frontline NHS workers with £1000 in cash

“No such thing as a safe level of drinking” means everyone is getting smashed

JOBS

FIND MORE JOBS

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.