More than 100 attacks on police officers in Dorset last year

Home Office figures show Dorset Police recorded 103 assaults on emergency workers in the year to March, up from 61 in 2020-21.

All of the alleged victims were police constables – there were two assaults without injury and 101 with injury on PCs last year.

Since the Assaults on Emergency Workers Bill came into law in 2018, the maximum prison sentence for common assault on an emergency worker has been 12 months.

The offence applies to attacks on 'blue light' workers such as the police, paramedics and fire fighters, along with many others, including prison officers, NHS workers, and St John’s Ambulance volunteers.

Dorset Police Chief Constable Scott Chilton said: “We will not tolerate assaults on any police or emergency services colleagues and will work relentlessly in pursuit of anyone who shows violence or aggression toward a blue light worker.

“Our officers and staff join the Force because they are dedicated and courageous, with a desire to help the public. Nobody deserves to go to work every day and put themselves at risk of being verbally abused, attacked or assaulted. These incidents not only have a profound impact on the officers and staff, but also on their colleagues and families, so it is of paramount importance that we provide support to those involved.

“Dorset Police will continue to do all it can, working with partners in the criminal justice system, to ensure offenders are brought to justice and held to account for their abhorrent actions.”

Separate figures show that the proportion of offenders charged has fallen nationwide, from 68 per cent to just 62 per cent in 2021-22.

In Dorset, 91 emergency worker assault investigations concluded last year, with 66 per cent resulting in a charge or summons – down from 70 per cent in 2020-21.

A Government spokesperson said: “Assaults on members of our emergency services are unacceptable, which is why this government has doubled the maximum penalty for assaulting an emergency worker."