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In a recent incident, a police community support officer (PCSO) recounted being left severely traumatized after being attacked while on duty. Chrissie Moyes, with 23 years of experience as a PCSO, detailed the ordeal where she was strangled and later attacked with a meat tenderiser in Guildford, Surrey, just three months following the initial incident. Data from Sussex Police revealed a concerning 40% increase in assaults on PCSOs between 2020 and 2024, while Kent Police also reported a similar rise in assaults on emergency workers during the same period. Unfortunately, Surrey Police was unable to provide data due to issues with how it records crime.
A Home Office spokesperson emphasized the illegal nature of assaults on any member of the police workforce, stating that perpetrators would face the full extent of the law. In light of these alarming statistics, it was announced that an additional 3,000 officers would soon join neighborhood policing teams to bolster community safety and ensure the well-being of officers. Ms. Moyes described the harrowing attack where she was choked by a woman accompanying a drunk and disorderly man under arrest. Despite the horrific experience, she expressed gratitude for a colleague who managed to intervene and save her from the violent woman.
Feeling vulnerable and plagued by flashbacks of the traumatic event, Ms. Moyes criticized the delayed backup response that took what felt like an excessive amount of time, attributing it to a lack of resources resulting from past budget cuts under the previous government. The Conservative Party was approached for comment on the matter. A representative from the Public and Commercial Services Union highlighted the unpreparedness of PCSOs for the escalating hostility and violence they face while on duty. Addressing the issue, they suggested recruiting and retaining more PCSOs and police constables to reduce instances of solo work and improve response times to calls for assistance.
Regarding the differential treatment received in court compared to police officers after attacks, Ms. Moyes voiced disappointment with the disparities in outcomes and stressed the need for equal treatment. She also shed light on the misconceptions surrounding PCSOs, who often lack the same powers and equipment as police constables, leading them to be labeled derogatory terms such as “pink and fluffy” or “plastic.” Despite the challenges, Ms. Moyes emphasized the importance of the community work that PCSOs undertake in addressing anti-social behavior and building trust with civilians, advocating for more respect for the policing profession overall
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