Government figures reveal that in the year ending March 2022 there were just over 41,000 assaults on police officers in England and Wales. In South Yorkshire there were 806 – 241 of which resulted in injury and 565 in which bobbies escaped unharmed physically. The figure was shared by the South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation to demonstrate what police officers face day in day out. In response, a South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Our officers work to protect people from danger every single day. They leave their homes and families not knowing what they might end up facing that day. “Officers are resilient and face difficult and challenging situations daily, often encountering dangerous and volatile situations on a regular basis that require great skill and bravery. “However, assaults are not ‘part of the job’. They do happen and they can have a lasting impact on officers and their loved ones. “We are committed to equipping officers with the skills and equipment they need to protect themselves and we will endeavour to gain prosecution against those who hurt, or attempt to hurt them whilst on duty.” A horrific attack on police officers in Sheffield in 2016, described at the time as the worst on city cops in 30 years, highlighted the dangers officers face. One officer, Lisa Bates, was left with a fractured skull, broken leg and partially severed finger as a result of the violence she faced. PC Bates, who has since left the force, was injured along with a colleague after they were confronted by a man wielding an axe as they responded a report of a ‘domestic incident’ at a flat on Plowright Close, Gleadless Valley. Three others were hurt while trying to arrest the attacker after he fled to the nearby Co-op on Blackstock Road, where he hurled missiles at terrified staff and customers – one of whom said she ‘feared’ for her life. Police Federation chairman at the time, Neil Bowles, said: “The female police officer could easily have died. It has shocked everyone in South Yorkshire Police. It is the most serious I have known in South Yorkshire in my 30 year career. “This is an example of officers receiving a call from a member of the public and not knowing what they are going to face. Chief Superintendent David Hartley, Sheffield’s District Commander at the time, described the incident as ‘traumatic’ and said although officers expect some hostility and violence in the line of duty, the attack was ‘exceptional’. Nathan Sumner was found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent but acquitted of attempted murder following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court in December 2016. He received a 15-year custodial sentence and was initially transferred to a psychiatric hospital to be detained under the Mental Health Act because of his schizophrenia. He was ordered serve at least two thirds of his time in custody before he can be considered for release. PC Bates had served as a police officer for 13 years before the attack but felt unable to return to the role.
