Assaults on police officers in capital more than double in 5 years - Burstow

5.06.34pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 8th Sep 2006

Figures obtained by Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton and Cheam, reveal a worrying trend towards increased assaults on police in the capital.

Responses to parliamentary questions which Mr Burstow received from the Home Office, show that there were 41 assaults per 100,000 people in London in the year 2005-06, compared to only 17 assaults per 100,000 people in 2001-02.

Assaults on Police Community Support Officers are not recorded separately by the Home Office, an indication that the figures could hide a much more worrying picture.

Commenting on the results, Mr Burstow said:

"These figures reveal a very worrying trend, which cuts through the spin the government gives us about tackling anti-social behaviour."

"The government publishes crime statistics showing a steadily improving picture, but these figures show that for the people at the front line, this is far from the case."

"We ask the Police to protect us and in so doing to put themselves at risk. These figures reveal that that risk has significantly increased under this government and something must be done."

"The fact that assaults against Police Community Support Officers is not recorded is very worrying - it is high time the government collected these statistics as well. Only then will we have a clear picture of the true scale of violence against our police services."