Attacks on police officers are at an all-time high, according to new figures
dailyrecord.co.ukAttacks on Scotland’s frontline police officers are at an all-time high, with almost one in three falling victim to violence from the public.Figures obtained by the Sunday Mail show 5224 officers were assaulted last year, up on 4866 in 2022 and 4236 in 2021.The report also reveals that 1314 were injured in last year’s attacks compared with 1227 in 2021 – a jump of seven per cent.
The figure come 30 years after Constable Lewis Fulton was stabbed by schizophrenic Philip McFadden in June 1994 in Glasgow’s Gorbals. .The 28-year-old died in hospital four hours later, leaving behind a wife and young son.David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, wants more support from the courtsHe said: “The figures don’t surprise me.
Police officers should not have to go to work to be assaulted. If you assault an officer, there needs to be a real tangible punishment.”Lewis’s widow Christine Fulton would like to see every officer trained in Tasers, as well as tougher sentencing.The figures, released under Freedom of Information, show 104 officers were seriously injured between 2021 and this March.Last Bonfire Night, more than 70 cops were injured after 50 youths threw fireworks and petrol bombs at them in the Niddrie area of Edinburgh.Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Russell Findlay MSP said: “Scotland’s brave officers need to know that when thugs attack them they will feel the full force of the justice system.”Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “Being assaulted is not part of the job for police officers and staff.” Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
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