Police officers are bitten ‘THREE times more by humans than by dogs’, probe claims
According to a probe by The Sun on Sunday, people sunk their teeth into officers 1,940 times over three years
COPS are bitten three times more by humans than by dogs, a Sun on Sunday probe found.
Offenders were responsible for sinking their teeth into police officers 1940 times over three years. While dogs had only bitten officers 644 times in the same period.
A freedom of information request also found that 70 other bites by animals, including fleas, were recorded.
The Metropolitan Police, West Midlands Police and the British Transport Police recorded the most attacks on their officers by offenders.
BTP has seen over 100 bites inflicted on cops and only eight dog bites.
While the Met Police recorded 1021 human bites and 260 dog bites in three years and has seen 451 officers need attention for the wounds caused by offenders.
Dogs were only responsible for biting officers 644 over a three year periodJohn Apter, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales said: “Any attack on a police officer is completely unacceptable and something we have long campaigned about.
But the act of biting anybody, let alone a police officer, is vile, disgusting and animal-like behaviour.
“Sadly these figures do not shock me – in fact they don’t represent anywhere near the true picture as many attacks on police officers still go unreported.”
Only 24 police forces responded to the FOI and two declined to give figures, meaning the true number of officers attacked on duty is likely to be far higher.
Some forces are handing out spite and bite guards to officers in a bid to curb the numbers of cops being attacked.
most read in news
The police federation is now looking at rolling out the defences across the country to ensure officers are protected while at work.
Mr Apter added: “Attacks on police officers – or any emergency service workers – should never be considered ‘just part of the job’ and I hope this new law will act as a deterrent for those who think that it is acceptable to assault police officers, and will appropriately punish those who do.”
- GOT a story? RING 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]