Hundreds of north-east police officers are being assaulted each year, including being stabbed, slashed, bitten and spat at while on duty, new figures reveal.
Shadow Justice Secretary and North East MSP Liam Kerr has called for the maximum prison sentence for criminals who assault emergency staff to be doubled after new statistics show more than 400 attacks are being carried out on the region’s force each year.
Shadow Justice Secretary and North East MSP Liam Kerr (inset) has called for tougher sentences for those who attack police officers and other emergency workers.
Injuries include stab wounds, bites, concussions and burns. Other assaults include being spat at and being slashed.
In 2024 (up to the month of November), 446 assaults were recorded on police officers across the North East Division, while there were 472 in 2023 and 488 in 2022.
Mr Kerr described the figures as “sickening” and reiterated his party’s pledge to double the maximum prison sentence for criminals who assault emergency staff.
He continued: “It’s sickening so many police officers are attacked while serving the people of the north-east.
“The SNP’s current approach in effectively banning short-term prison sentences has meant individuals who assault these key workers are dodging jail.
“Our police officers are already being starved of the resources they need to do their job.
“They do not deserve to be subjected to violent attacks, many of which will have occurred while trying to help the very people who end up assaulting them.
“These offenders should feel the full force of the law which is why the Scottish Conservatives want to double the maximum sentence for assaulting emergency service workers.
“It is vitally important that no matter what the situation, our key workers are fully protected, which includes the Scottish Government providing police officers with the protection of body worn cameras.”