Assaults on Gwent police officers at three-year high
More than 1,600 officers from Gwent Police have been injured while on duty over the past three years, according to new data.
The number of injuries has increased yearly, with assaults now consisting of 77 per cent of all injuries.
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) representing police officers has stated that these continuous assaults are pushing forces "to breaking point."
Data obtained by Accident at Work Claim UK through freedom of information requests indicate that 1,650 Gwent police officers were injured while working between 2022 and 2024.
Of this total, injuries resulting from assault made up 1,272, with other types of injuries accounting for 378.
Other causes of injuries can include handling, lifting or carrying, injuries by animals, contact with moving vehicles, and exposure to harmful substances.
The year 2024 recorded a total of 773 police officer injuries, a shocking rise of 168 per cent compared to the 288 injuries reported in 2022.
Assault injuries have also shown a steep increase, rising 156 per cent from 234 in 2022 to 599 in 2024.
These alarming figures have sparked renewed calls for improved workplace safety measures and support services.
Earlier this month, the PFEW launched the 'Copped Enough Campaign', a national effort to advocate for fair pay, safe working conditions, and respect for police officers.
A PFEW spokesperson highlighted the urgent need for this campaign.
The PFEW spokesperson said: "Thirty-two officers are violently assaulted every day—and the numbers are rising.
"The police officers who protect communities are being pushed to breaking point.
"Enough is enough."
Recent incidents of assault on police and prison officers have amplified national concern about the safety of frontline officers.
Manchester Arena bomber Hashem Abedi supposedly threw hot cooking oil over officers at HMP Franklin in County Durham on April 5, according to the Prison Officers' Association (POA).
On May 8, convicted Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana allegedly heated water in his cell at HMP Belmarsh and subsequently threw it at an officer.
Solicitor Bev Faulkner, speaking to Accident at Work Claim UK, mentioned that it is possible for officers to bring compensation claims if employer negligence results in an accident and injuries.
She said: "The Police Force cannot sack you, discipline you for bringing a claim against them, prevent you from being promoted or demote you."
Accident at Work Claim UK provides a 24-hour helpline and live chat service for police officers and staff who have suffered an injury at work.
Chief Constable Mark Hobrough of Gwent Police made it clear that such assaults are "completely unacceptable".
Chief Constable Hobrough said: "Nobody expects to be assaulted while carrying out their job, and that applies to police officers, all members of the emergency services, health workers, and prison staff too.
"These assaults are completely unacceptable but all too often I see the devastating impact these attacks have on my colleagues.
"Our officers are more than their uniform—they are members of our community, they are parents, siblings, and friends, who love and are loved."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Man in 'critical condition' after crash in Tredegar
The collision happened on Harcourt Terrace, Tredegar around 10.35am. A quad bike was involved in the single-vehicle collision. A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: 'At about 10.35 am on Sunday 8 June we had a report of a collision on Harcourt Terrace involving one vehicle - a quad bike. 'There were two men on the bike at the time, one of the men was taken to hospital with injuries. 'He remains in hospital in a critical condition at this time. 'Enquiries are ongoing into the collision, anyone who witnessed it or has any information can call 101, quoting 2500180553, you can send a direct message on Facebook or X,or online:
BBC News
14 hours ago
- BBC News
'I thought I was going to die in Southport attack'
A 14-year-old girl who survived the Southport attack that claimed the lives of three girls and left others injured has recalled the moment she feared she was going to die, as the first anniversary teenager was left with life-threatening injuries when Axel Rudakubana, then aged 17, walked into a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop on 29 July and attacked the girls taking part as well as the adults running teenager, who the BBC is calling Sarah to protect her identity, said she had been making bracelets with the other girls when Rudakubana walked into the room. "He stabbed the child in front of me and then he was coming for me," she told BBC Radio Merseyside. Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, and Bebe King, 6, died in the attack, while eight other children and two adults were said: "He stabbed my arm and, as I turned, he must have stabbed my back but I didn't realise it at that time."She recalled how she managed to flee to the landing before leading a number of girls to safety outside."I thought I was going to die. I didn't think I was going to live through it," she said."I did think it was a joke and then further on into it happening it just kind of felt like a movie set you were on."It's you but you're watching yourself do it – like a nightmare." Sarah said she had been left feeling angry after Rudakubana changed his plea to guilty on the first day of his trial."He's just a coward at the end of the day, targeting kids in the first place," she added the aftermath and the outpouring of support in the wake of what had happened had shown her "the worst and the best of humanity".Sarah said she now wanted to make a difference by setting up a charitable clothing brand – alongside her sister, who also survived the attack - called GABA, which stands for "Go Anywhere Be Anything".She said a percentage from the sales would help charities that focus on mental health, would fund bleed packs and help to tackle knife crime. 'Proud father' "Everyone that is carrying knives or hurting each other is getting younger and younger," she said. "It's annoying that it's people who are my age."It comes after yoga instructor Leanne Lucas, who also survived the attack, recently said she wanted to drive a cultural shift in which people swapped their traditional pointed-tip blades with blunt-ended knives, which presented a much lower risk of causing serious added she would also like pupils to be first-aid trained by the time they left high father said he was proud of both his daughters' determination to bring about change."We get our strengths as father and as parents from our children," he said."What they're doing, what they are coming out with and how they want to help support local community is just inspiring."A list of organisations offering support and information with some of the issues in this story is available at BBC Action Line. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Southport monster has tests in prison to see if he's 'mad not bad'
Axel Rudakubana was jailed for a minimum of 52 years for killing Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Alice Aguiar, nine, and six-year-old Bebe King at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport Triple child killer Axel Rudakubana is being considered for a move from prison to a "cushy" secure hospital, it is understood. The 18-year-old murderer has reportedly had assessments with therapists and psychologists over whether he is "mad not bad" and, if the fiend is cleared for treatment in a mental health unit he could be transferred to a different jail. Currently in HMP Belmarsh, a tough Category A prison, Rudakubana will move to either Broadmoor, Ashworth or Rampton hospitals. Inmates at these - England's three top-secure psychiatric units - are treated as "patients" rather than prisoners, with a focus on their therapy. But this has caused anger, not least as The Mirror has reported last month Rudakubana, from Banks, Lancashire, already has privileges amid his "cushy life" in jail. He requests treats such as Maltesers and McCoy's - and has them delivered to his cell by prison guards whom are colleagues of an officer Rudakubana recently scolded with boiling water. "If he was moved, he would be kept in better conditions, with all the rooms single ones and less restrictions on things like TV and DvDs plus visitors... If you are serving a sentence as long as his, you would want to be in a secure hospital unit rather than prison. No officer at Belmarsh believes he is mentally ill but he says the right things in meetings," a source said last night. Any move would also hit the taxpayer with a much higher bill – of £325,000 per year compared to £57,000 in prison - for Rudakubana's care. The yob is serving at least 52 years for killing Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Alice Aguiar, nine, and six-year-old Bebe King last summer. Speaking to The Sun, the source added: "Conversations are happening now about his future, after he was being assessed by therapists, psychologists and other medical experts. He is very keen for a move because but others at Belmarsh think he is gaming the system." When the teenager was sentenced in January, it was revealed he had been under the care of an NHS mental health service between 2019 and 2023 - until he "stopped engaging". The fiend has been held under strict conditions at Belmarsh, which is in southeast London, but he somehow was able to attack the guard in May. Rudakubana was allowed a kettle and is believed to have used it to boil water ahead of the "serious assault," after which the officer needed treatment in hospital. He has since returned to work, it is understood. Ministry of Justice sources told The Sun initial assessments had started – but said no hospital referral had been "initiated" or was ongoing.
