OVER 800 WORKING DAYS LOST AT GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE DUE TO ASSAULTS ON OFFICERS

2.30.00pm GMT Fri 20th Mar 2009

Andrew Stunell wants to see Police Officers given greater protection

832 working days were lost in the last year in Greater Manchester Police Force due to assaults on officers, research from Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell has revealed.

Figures show that 34 forces lost a total of 15,338 officer working days due to assaults in the last year, with Greater Manchester Police the fourth worst-hit force in the country.

Andrew has now written to Policing Minister Vernon Coaker, to urge the government to do more to protect frontline officers.

Commenting, Andrew said:

"Violence against Police Officers is totally unacceptable. They clearly aren't being provided with the protection that they need to do their jobs.

"Current measures are clearly not effective enough, with over 800 working days lost because of attacks on Greater Manchester officers.

"There must be zero-tolerance on attacks, abuse and threats of violence and this means prosecuting the offenders and putting them through the courts.

"The government must do more to ensure the safety of police officers in what is already a very challenging working environment."

ENDS