Police Scotland recorded 6,338 attacks on officers between April and March, an average of almost 20 assaults every day. Of these, 759 involved officers being spat at and 504 involved officers being bitten, according to figures released by the force.
The data also shows that 2,264 attacks involved kicking and 701 involved punching. Officers were headbutted 599 times during the same 12-month period, and there were 12 sexual assaults on officers and 52 attacks involving knives or bladed weapons. Nineteen police officers had vehicles driven at them, while a further seven were attacked and burned with hot liquids.
Calls for tougher penalties
David Kennedy, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, described the number of attacks on officers as "disgraceful". He said: "Spitting and biting are particularly degrading forms of assault."
He added: "Officers can be left facing weeks and months of anxiety while undergoing the medical tests waiting to learn if they contracted an infection. No one no matter what profession they do should should be expected to accept that as part of their job. Those who deliberately assault emergency workers, particularly police officers, must face meaningful consequences."
Former superintendent speaks out
Martin Gallagher, a former Superintendent with Police Scotland, said officers are being attacked more often, despite being provided with increased protective equipment. He said: "I have been in knife fights, and saw my sergeant stabbed in front of me when I was a young cop. I have been bitten by a drug addict and went through all the medical tests that this entailed. These were relatively rare occurrences in the past."
He added: "Offenders are emboldened when charges of police assault are plea bargained away or no significant penalty is imposed by our courts on the offenders found guilty. If we do not back our cops, there is going to be more hurt. Having had broken bones, lost teeth and stitches from my policing days I do not wish these on any of today's officers."
Political reaction
Rob Hay, President of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, said: "These figures show not only the scale of abuse officers face in the line of duty, but the viciousness. It is unacceptable that they face these levels of violence."
Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said: "It is disgraceful that police officers should have to face such a high number of assaults, including vile acts like biting and spitting. We need to support our police, ensuring that they have the resources they need to tackle crime and carry out their jobs effectively."
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Stephen Kerr said: "It is absolutely appalling that so many hardworking officers and police staff have been assaulted while doing their job. They are already under huge strain after years of savage cuts to police budgets which has left communities with fewer police on the streets and criminals feeling emboldened."
Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Yi-pei Chou Turvey MSP said: "It must feel terrifying to know that on any given day, you could be attacked with a knife or kicked and spat at. Is it any wonder that so many officers are taking time off or heading for the door entirely?"
Recent incidents
In July, two police officers aged 43 and 41 were taken to hospital after a white van was allegedly driven at them in Larkhall, Lanarkshire. A man has since appeared in court charged with their attempted murder. Last year, three men were charged with the attempted murders of cops in Dumfries, Clydebank and Greenock. In the Dumfries incident in July, a 26-year-old allegedly drove his car and seriously injured a cop. In Greenock the following month, the officer suffered stab wounds and also needed hospital treatment.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Assaults on officers and staff are absolutely unacceptable. Everyone who works for Police Scotland has the fundamental right to come home from each shift unharmed. It is not part of the job and it is important we report any violence against emergency service workers and hold those responsible to account."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Attacks on police officers are unacceptable, and the courts have extensive powers to deal robustly with them. We are investing record funding of more than £1.7 billion in policing this year, and Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales."
