Since 2018, when the aggravated offence of assault on an emergency worker was introduced, increasing numbers of offenders have been sentenced. In 2024, about 14,200 offenders were sentenced (compared to about 7,000 to 8,000 per year before 2018 for assault of a police constable).
Last May, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced changes to its charging practice, returning to the old offence of assault of a police constable rather than requiring prosecutors always to bring the more serious charge of assaulting an emergency worker. This change aimed to speed up cases.
Consequently, the Sentencing Council is updating its guideline in line with the CPS policy change. Under its consultation, ‘Assault on a police constable’, launched this week, and due to close on 31 May, penalties would range from a community order to 26 weeks in prison.
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