162 Policing Days Lost in Norfolk Due to Assaults on Officers

7.20.00pm GMT Fri 20th Mar 2009

In just one year, 162 police officer working days were lost in Norfolk due to assaults, according to new figures. The lost working days were recorded in one year between 2007-08.

Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, said:

"These figures are simply horrendous. Everyone understands that the police have to work in very challenging circumstances, but the fact that so many days of policing have been lost in Norfolk due to assaults on officers is very disturbing. The full extent of this problem has only now been made clear through these new figures. As well as the impact on the personal impact on the officers, policing activities in Norfolk must also suffer through the equivalent of half a year of lost officer time.

"Courts must deal severely with offenders who assault or threaten officers. Society as a whole doesn't tolerate violence against police, but there are obviously some people out there who haven't got the message. It's completely unacceptable.

"The Government must also do its bit by ensuring that all police have access to the best training and equipment to minimise the risk of attacks."

Figures show that 34 forces lost a total of 15,338 officer working days due to assaults in the latest year for which figures are available. The figures were released in a written parliamentary answer from Policing Minister Vernon Coaker. See http://www.theyworkforyou.com:80/wrans/?id=2009-02-23d.256743.h