More than 1,100 Gloucestershire Police Officers have been injured while on duty in the last three years, with assaults rising year-on-year.
Gloucestershire Constabulary has seen a concerning rise in the number of police officers injured while on duty, with the figure now the highest it has been in three years.
During that time, a total of £17,000 has been paid out in compensation settling officer claims for injuries sustained while on duty.
The most common cause of police officer injuries was assault, which has risen by 65 per cent since 2022.
According to the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) which represents police officers, forces are being “pushed to breaking point and enough is enough.”
New data obtained by Accident at Work Claim UK through Freedom of Information requests reveals that between 2022 and 2024, a total of 1,134 Gloucestershire police officers were injured while on duty.
Injuries sustained as a result of assault accounted for 669 (59%) of the total figure since 2022 while injuries caused by another kind of accident resulted in 144 incidents.
A further 98 injuries were caused during operational training as well as 69 due to slips, trips and falls.
Other police injury causes included; handling, lifting or carrying, injury by an animal, hit by a moving vehicle and exposure to a harmful substance.
A total of 419 police officer injuries were recorded in 2024, a 35 per cent increase from 2022 when 311 injuries were recorded.
Assault injuries alone have increased year on year from 174 in 2022 to 287 in 2024 – a rise of 65 per cent.
The figures underline a rising trend in officer harm that has sparked renewed calls for improved workplace safety measures and support services.
Earlier this month (Tuesday May, 6) the PFEW launched the ‘Copped Enough Campaign’ in the fight it says, for police officers’ right to fair pay, safe conditions, and respect.
“32 officers are violently assaulted every day – and the numbers are rising, “ a PFEW spokesperson said.
“The police officers who protect communities are being pushed to breaking point. Real-terms pay cuts of up to 21%, rising assaults, daily trauma and risk, they run towards danger – but their pay doesn’t cover running a household. Enough is enough.”
In terms of financial redress, Gloucestershire Police data revealed that a total of 12 compensation claims have been submitted by officers for an injury on duty between 2021 and 2024.
Of those, six claims have been settled with damages amounting to a total of £17,000. The force confirmed that all other claims are ongoing.
Recent assaults on police and prison officers, including the attack on three prison officers at the high-risk security prison, HMP Franklin in County Durham, has increased national scrutiny into the safety of frontline officers.
On Saturday, April 5, Manchester Arena bomber Hashem Abedi reportedly threw hot cooking oil over prison officers and used “home-made weapons” to stab them, according to the Prison Officers’ Association (POA).
More recently, on Thursday, May 8, convicted Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana, allegedly launched an attack from his cell at HMP Belmarsh. He is reported to have heated water using a kettle in his room which was then thrown at an officer.
The spate of attacks has prompted a wider debate about police and prison officer assaults and job-related hazards.
Local figures from Gloucestershire Constabulary are in line with the national landscape and reaffirm the need for ongoing discussions about frontline safety, duty of care, and the challenges of policing currently in the UK.
Speaking to Accident at Work Claim UK, Solicitor Bev Faulkner said: “If you have been injured whilst working, it is possible to bring a claim against the Police Force, your employer, for compensation if their negligence resulted in the accident and your injuries.
“The Police Force cannot sack you, discipline you for bringing a claim against them, prevent you from being promoted or demote you.”
Accident at Work Claim UK offers support to police officers and staff who have suffered an injury at work and free advice on whether they can claim compensation.
They operate a 24-hour helpline and live chat service which you can access on their website.
