‘The depressing thing is these attacks are becoming more regular’ - Superintendent condemns ‘shocking’ assaults on police officers
Superintendent of Great Yarmouth Police Roger Wiltshire. Picture: Nick Butcher. - Credit: Nick Butcher
A town’s top police officer has condemned the “shocking” assaults criminals are increasingly carrying out on his workforce.
Great Yarmouth Police Station.Picture: James Bass - Credit: Eastern Daily Press © 2013
In one day of court alone - at Great Yarmouth Magistrates on Thursday, March 13 - three people were convicted of attacks on police that took place in January and February.
Superintendent of Great Yarmouth Police, Roger Wiltshire, said assaults on his workforce are becoming more common and it is an issue which is definitely getting worse.
“It is shocking to know people are attacking officers who are just trying to do their job,” he said.
“The depressing thing is these attacks are becoming more regular.”
You may also want to watch:
Georgia-rose June Barlow, 21, of Northgate Street, Great Yarmouth, was handed a £80 fine and ordered to pay £50 compensation for assaulting a police officer on February 10.
Connor Beaumont-Price, 21, of Lowestoft Road, Gorleston, was given a £120 fine for an attack on a police officer on February 20 while Andrew Baines was convicted for two assaults on officers.
Most Read
- 1 Atlantis Tower up for sale after owner signs ‘outrageous’ loan deal
- 2 Projects to restore axed rail routes get £794m boost
- 3 Out on the beat - we join police Covid patrol on the seafront
- 4 Police close probe into 'terrifying' Armani armed robbery
- 5 Businesses shut by lockdown to get one-off payment of up to £9,000
- 6 Norfolk woman fined after travelling 200 miles to visit daughter
- 7 Firearms collector, 72, jailed for having illegal shotgun and pistol
- 8 Number of coronavirus deaths passes 1,000 at Norfolk's hospitals
- 9 75th wedding anniversary for couple who 'love each other to bits'
- 10 Four national high street names to move into former M&S store
Baines, of Mill Road, Burgh Castle, was handed a one year community order and made to pay £200 in compensation for his assaults in Great Yarmouth on January 16.
Mr Wiltshire said alcohol played a part in many of the assaults on his team.
He said: “It is difficult to get your head around it because a lot of the time people are being stopped for minor offences.
“They get themselves into much more trouble because of these attacks rather than the initial crime.
“There does seem to be a theme of intoxication which runs through a lot of these incidents though.”
The superintendent said his officers involved in the assaults heard at Great Yarmouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday suffered minor injuries.
He was however concerned by the impact the increasing regularity of attacks could have on people joining the police force.
“We want to have the best recruits joining our team so these kind of incidents are particularly worrying,” he said.
“Unfortunately they do not really surprise me anymore.”
Mr Wiltshire reiterated keeping his workforce safe remained a top priority for him.
He said: “We are always looking at ways to keep our officers safe and this has included them wearing body cameras and carrying tasers.
“Although it is hard to measure the impact these measures have it gives them added reassurance.”
