ASSAULTS on the police have risen by more than 83% in the past three years, the force has revealed following the sentencing of a man who spat in an officer’s mouth.
And spitting incidents alone have doubled, according to the States police.
Police chief Robin Smith said assaults on emergency service workers would “not be tolerated”, after 29-year-old Jay Wallace was jailed for one year by the Magistrate’s Court this week.
Wallace spat in the officer’s mouth, leaving her facing months of stress and anxiety as she undergoes medical tests for HIV and hepatitis. Officers who are spat on, especially in the face, have to undergo health assessments in the Emergency Department for infectious diseases and attend follow-up appointments.
The court heard that Wallace also had a previous conviction for assaulting an officer in January and several convictions for assaults in his native Scotland.
Assistant Magistrate Adam Clarke said Wallace’s custodial sentence “sends a message that assaults on blue-light-services staff will not be tolerated”.
Commenting after Wallace’s sentencing, Mr Smith said: “The court heard that Wallace has the most appalling criminal history, including previous assaults on police in Jersey and in another jurisdiction.
“The Assistant Magistrate’s comments in court have sent the strongest deterrent yet that assaults on emergency service workers will not be tolerated.”
He added: “Wallace racially abused one officer and spat in another officer’s face.
“It has been particularly distressing for the officer, and I’m proud of her professionalism and dedication.”
Newly released figures show that there were 18 offences involving spitting on police officers last year, compared to nine in 2022 and ten in 2023.
Meanwhile, general assaults against officers rose from 30 a year in 2022 and 2023 to 55 last year.
Mr Smith highlighted the risks faced by frontline staff in a recent Scrutiny panel hearing, outlining the increase in the number of assaults on officers and the “enormous impact” it had.
Last month a member of staff at the Emergency Department was left badly bruised following a serious assault.
The incident came weeks after the launch of a campaign to highlight the impact of aggressive and intimidating behaviour on ambulance staff and other emergency responders.
The #WorkWithoutFear campaign was developed after 26 incidences of violence, aggression and intimidation aimed towards ambulance employees in the first ten months of 2024, up from 14 reported incidents during the whole of 2023 and seven in 2022.
