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Police officers ‘could let violent suspects go if they don’t get help from the public’

Police officers should be assisted by the public, said a federation chairman (Picture: PA)
Police officers should be assisted by the public, said a federation chairman (Picture: PA)

Police officers could be forced to let violent suspects go if they don’t get help from the public, it has been warned.

Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, was speaking in the wake of a vicious attack on the streets of south London.

The incident, which which captured on video, showed two officers being attacked as they tried to make an arrest in Croydon.

One was dragged around in the road while the other took a flying kick to the chest and was left lying dazed feet from a passing bus.

The male officer suffered cuts and the female officer was left with head injuries after the assault.

The footage was posted on Twitter with the caption “south London at night…Lol”, and showed several cars going past without stopping.

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One member of the public, wearing a crash helmet, did intervene and helped the officers arrest one of the suspects.

Mr Marsh warned that officers might be forced to let violent suspects go.

He said: “Are we now in a society where, if we think we can’t detain somebody, we just let them go? It’s just not worth it.

“We’re going to come to a point where we’re going to start pushing messages out to our colleagues: ‘Risk-assess it dynamically and, if you think you can’t detain a person, just let them go.’

“We don’t come to work to get assaulted, and if we’re not going to be backed up in what we’re doing then what is the point?”

But Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Sir Steve House said passers-by should only help officers struggling with violent suspects “if they can safely do so”.

In a statement on Tuesday, Sir Steve said: “Whilst officers should never expect to be attacked as part of their job, a core part of officer safety training is ensuring they know how to respond to volatile situations.

“This training is substantial and delivered in accordance with national guidelines and we regularly review it to make sure it is fit for purpose.

“Officers are also issued with personal protective equipment to help protect them and the public.

“I am mindful that members of the public do not have access to such items and, while any officer would be grateful for the public to assist them with a difficult arrest, they should only intervene if they can safely do so.”

He said suspects trying to flee arrest was “not a new phenomenon” and that officers in London know there is “overwhelming support for the work we do from the public”.