Police officers spat at, kicked and choked

Three police officers were assaulted in Newtown over the weekend, with them spat at, kicked in the face and choked.

The assaults took place in on Saturday night and come after senior officers raised concerns about the significant rise in officers being assaulted in the area, as reported by MyNewtown on Sunday.

According to a Tweet from Police Sergeant Tom Marshall: "Three police officers assaulted in Newtown area last night: 1-Spat at officer 2-Kicked in the face and choked 3-Pushed during disorder Is this becoming normal behaviour on Saturday night? All detainees charged #Newtowncustody ."

It has emerged that Dyfed Powys Police has seen some of the highest rises in assaults on officers in the whole of Wales.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has raised his concern as have chief police officers who also criticised bystanders who video such assaults and publish them on social media.

Chief Constable Mark Collins told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We need to stop this.”

He said assaults had risen by 50% over the last two years – two-thirds of which were punching and kicking, and a third spitting.

The force covers four large rural counties and frontline staff numbers have been impacted by budget cuts since 2010.

“In the main we have single-crewed officers in cars,” said Mr Collins.

“We have got a number of officers who are trained in the use of Tasers.”
Mr Collins said research had shown that officers patrolling in pairs were more likely to be assaulted.

He has met his three fellow chief constables to discuss the use of Tasers and whether more should be made available.

Mr Collins also urged the courts to impose the maximum sentence when defendants were guilty of officer assaults.

“The deterrent must be stiff custodial sentences if we are going to stop it.”
Mr Collins said the Dyfed-Powys area remained the safest place to live and work in Wales.

But asked why he felt there were more assaults on frontline staff, he said: “I think respect for police is not what it was.

“The respect for law and order is not it was. I think society has changed in the way it views its police service.

“My officers and staff are more vulnerable. There has been an increase in alcohol and substance misuse which leads people to behave irrationally and out of character.

“There is more lashing out.”