ASSAULTS on Scotland’s police officers were up by almost a quarter on the five-year average during the first quarter of 2020-21, new figures show.
There were 1775 recorded assaults on officers and staff – equivalent to about 20 per day. Police Scotland released the statistics as the chief constable pledged to support officers facing violence.
The force said the figures were up 7.2% year-on-year and 22.7% on the five-year average.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone pledged to provide police staff with “the training and tools you need to do your job safely” and to “ensure the service responds to violence or abuse when it happens to you with the same care and compassion as we do for members of the public”.
The pledge is backed by Lord Advocate James Wolffe and Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf.
Livingstone said: “As has been evident in recent weeks and months, policing in Scotland brings order, discipline and compassion.
“It is, then, disgraceful and deplorable when officers and staff are subjected to violence during the course of their duties.
“I have enormous concern about assaults and attacks on police officers and staff, which are disgracefully on the increase. I utterly reject any suggestion or view that they come with the job.”
Yousaf added: “The men and women of Police Scotland are the front line in protecting communities and keeping Scotland safe. The courts have extensive powers to deal robustly with those behind such appalling behaviour towards our officers and staff.”
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