21 May 2021

A campaign to end violence against frontline emergency services officers has been backed by Dyfed Powys Police Federation.

The With Us Not Against Us campaign is being spearheaded by the Joint Emergency Services Group (JESG) in Wales, which covers the blue light services, Armed Forces, NHS Wales and Welsh Government.

Assaults against emergency workers,  including police, fire and ambulance crews, are on the rise in Wales, according to new data.

More than 4,240 assaults were committed against emergency workers between April 2019 – November 2020, representing a 10 per cent monthly average increase.
Assaults ranged from kicking, punching and head-butting, to spitting, slapping, biting and verbal abuse.

Dyfed Powys Police Federation chair Gareth Jones said: “Frontline police officers are there to help people and have been putting their lives on the line to protect our communities throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

“Any threat of violence against them is totally unacceptable. A split-second act of violence can have a devastating and long-term impact on officers, both physically and emotionally.

“The debt of gratitude owed to our emergency workers has never been greater so we as Police Federation branch give out full support to this important campaign.”

In 2018, the maximum sentence under the Assault on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act was doubled from six months to 12 months in prison, but criminals could soon face up to two years in prison under new laws.

Tony Dicken, District Crown Prosecutor for CPS Wales, said: “Any assault or abuse of an emergency worker is viewed extremely seriously by the CPS.

“The fact that the victim has been providing a service to the public is highlighted as an aggravating feature of the offence when courts pass sentence, which can increase the penalty given.

“Emergency workers are there to help the public and should be able to do so safely and without fear.“

The CPS is committed to using the full weight of the law to protect them.”

Pledge your support and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #WithUsNotAgainstUs or #GydaNiNidYnEinHerbyn.