Three attacks a day on force's police officers

There have been three reported attacks a day on West Midlands Police officers in 2024, the force's federation said

West Midlands Police officers have made 611 reports of being assaulted at work this year, the force's federation said.

The figures, covering January until the end of July, average at about three assaults a day.

The federation's deputy chair, Jase Dooley, said the numbers were staggering and included not just physical attacks, but also numerous incidents of officers being spat at.

Mr Dooley welcomed the jail sentences handed to offenders who assaulted police officers during unrest across the UK over the last few weeks but added the approach to crime and sentencing had to be consistent and must apply to "all cases where our officers are assaulted".

Mr Dooley said: "While we have seen the home secretary and prime minister speak out in recent days, supporting tough sentencing for those involved in the riots, we do not necessarily see judges handing out suitable sentences when police officers are assaulted in other incidents.

"We need to see consistent sentencing for assaults on emergency service workers at all times, not just during a national crisis."

Last week, a 58-year-old man who punched a police officer during disorder at a mosque was sentenced to three years in jail when he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court.

Derek Drummond had pleaded guilty to violent disorder charges and assaulting an emergency worker.

A man was also charged after a glass was thrown at a police officer during unrest in Solihull.