POLICE bosses have warned criminals who attack on-duty officers that their actions will not be tolerated after statistics revealed more than 700 assaults have occurred against staff in the last five years.
Bradley Burgin became the latest to be jailed last week having evaded police for months following an assault on two female officers in Cudworth on November 3 of last year.
He was stopped for driving a vehicle that had no MOT but when in the back of the police car he provided false details.
As the officers opened the door to handcuff him, the 27-year-old lunged towards them - knocking them both down to the floor before fleeing.
One officer suffered facial injuries during the attack.
On December 15, he was once again spotted driving recklessly in Cudworth.
He failed to stop for officers and a pursuit commenced which saw Burgin reach speeds of 80mph in a Land Rover Discovery.
CCTV, a police car’s dash-cam and body-worn video ensured Burgin was held responsible for his actions while behind the wheel.
He was subsequently arrested on March 7 and was charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency service worker, driving while disqualified and dangerous driving.
He was handed a 12-month prison sentence at Sheffield Crown Court last week and force bosses have condemned Burgin and others who have attacked officers.
Sergeant Richard Wilson, who heads up the Cudworth team, said: “We are human, we have loved ones at home who we should return to at the end of a shift.
“We do not deserve to come to work to become injured or harmed.
“Throughout Burgin’s arrest and interview he showed no remorse for his actions.
“I am pleased that his actions and offending has finally caught up with him and he will now face time in prison.”
Police statistics obtained via a Freedom of Information request revealed South Yorkshire Police recorded more than 700 assaults on its staff between 2018 and 2023.
Years dominated by Covid-enforced lockdown periods - in 2020 and 2021 - saw lows of 86 and 90 respectively but attacks then rose to 198 in 2022 alone.
South Yorkshire Police Federation chair Steve Kent said the crime should automatically come with a jail term.
“Officers are going out there with their heads down - they’re going out embarrassed and they shouldn’t be as they should be going out and being proud,” he added.
“The force’s charge rate for assaults on police officers is well over 90 per cent.
“It’s very good, but what’s happening is that the courts are letting us down.
“For example, one officer suffered lacerations to his eyeballs and the person walked free from court with a suspended sentence.
“I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face: any assault on a police officer involving a serious injury should be automatic jail.
“No ifs, no buts - we’re talking about broken noses, black eyes, cuts, bites, something that leaves a lasting effect.
“The message will get out and people will think twice.”
Barnsley District Commander Simon Wanless told the Chronicle that police officers deserved respect.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach to assaults on our officers.
“Policing is a dangerous job and our brave officers are often the ones who put themselves in harm’s way to protect their communities and keep people safe; they deserve to be respected.
“To purposefully injure an officer in the line of duty is unacceptable.
“No-one should come to work and fear being verbally or physically attacked.
“We know the majority of people are respectful and thankful for our officers’ efforts and duty - we will always seek to ensure those responsible for hurting our officers are brought before the courts.”
