NCJ Number
136220
Date Published
1992
Length
18 pages
Annotation
British data on assaults on police officers for the last 6 months of 1991 cover the number of offenders sentenced, type of offense, age and gender of offender, sentencing, compensation, and area variations.
Abstract
A total of 2,501 offenders were sentenced for assaults on police officers during the last 6 months of 1991. This was an estimated 8 percent of the total number of persons sentenced for assaults. The majority of offenders were sentenced for assault on a constable (71 percent); only 2 percent were sentenced for serious assaults (murder, manslaughter, and grievous bodily harm). A total of 27 percent of offenders were under 21 years old, and 28 percent were aged 21-24 years old. Female police officers were less likely than male officers to be assaulted, but female officers were more likely than male officers to be assaulted by female offenders. Thirty-four percent of offenders were sentenced to a fine, 18 percent to immediate custody, 26 percent to a community penalty, and 13 percent discharged. The use of immediate custody was more often used for assaults on police than on assaults in general. Compensation orders were given in 40 percent of the sentences, with the average compensation being 75 pounds Sterling. 4 figures, 9 tables, and 7 notes