PFNI says Courts must tell thugs who assault officers that ‘gloves are off’

Seven police officers kicked, punched and bitten sum up an appalling 24-hour period for policing in Belfast.

PFNI Chair Liam Kelly said that in addition to incidents at Boucher Playing Fields and Custom House Square, recent ramming of police vehicles can leave no one in any doubt of the constant dangers officers have to face.

Liam Kelly, Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, described the assaults on colleagues as a ‘appalling and unacceptable.’

Mr Kelly said: “To be blunt, there is a terrible disrespect among some people for the men and women I represent who do a fantastic job on behalf of the whole community.

“Officers work in dangerous and dynamic situations, countering violent and lawless individuals.

“They put their bodies on the line when dealing with attackers. They sustain injuries, some of them forcing them to take time off work to recover. They have to confront constant dangers and all in the name of keeping society safe from mindless thugs.

“They most definitely do not deserve to be bitten, punched, slapped and attacked from behind in a cowardly manner.

When culprits are brought before the Courts, they should be given meaningful prison terms to let them know there is zero tolerance for what they do.

“Assaulting our officers is becoming commonplace. It is a trend that needs to be halted in its tracks and that requires a no-nonsense approach being taken by our Courts.

“A clear message has to be handed down that assaulting police officers will no longer be treated with kid gloves. There is no mitigation or excuse for lashing out and assaulting officers.”