PSNI officers assaulted more than 2,500 times over 12 months

Officers have experienced more than 2,500 assaults in the last year, with the police highlighting recent incidents of sexual assault, biting, kicking and spitting blood.

Data from the PSNI shows there were 2,630 assaults on officers between October 1 2024 and September 30 this year, with more than 100 reported incidents of police vehicles being rammed so far in 2025.

In one incident, a police officer tending to a detained patient, who was HIV positive, faces months of worry and medicated treatment after blood was sprayed directly into her face and eyes after the detainee forcibly removed a cannula.

This year alone, 21 vehicles have required repairs at an estimated cost of £140,000, with the service emphasising that it means they may not be available to respond to situations where lives are in danger.

Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton called for respect to be shown to officers, while the PSNI is also introducing a dashcam pilot scheme.

He said: “Unfortunately, a number of officers have been subjected to disgraceful and, quite frankly, disgusting behaviour being assaulted whilst simply doing their job.”

He added: “It should never be accepted as ‘part of the job’ for anyone to be punched, kicked or spat at.

“Police officers come to work knowing that it’s a tough calling but they should expect to be able to do their duties without fear of attack.”

The PSNI has provided examples of “shocking and disgusting attacks” that officers have experienced in the last few years.

One neighbourhood officer based in Newry, Mourne and Down suffered leg injuries after a police vehicle was rammed by a car back in 2023.

Two years on, the constable still deals with injuries and is “extremely hesitant” to use the stairs while carrying his newborn baby in case he falls.

A local policing team officer from Armagh was subjected to a sexual assault while on duty in 2023 during the arrest of a man.

The PSNI said the man became verbally abusive, threatened to cut her throat, and said he was going to “abuse” her.

She said: “He kissed my hand and placed his face into my chest and when I pushed him away, he leaned forward and placed his face on my chest again and nuzzled my chest with his face before I pushed him off again.”

The male was convicted of sexual assault in court and received a custodial sentence and was also subjected to a sexual offenders’ prevention order for seven years.

However, the officer still deals with the effects of the incident and received therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.

In another shocking incident, a local police officer from Armagh was sprayed with blood on her face, eyes and mouth by a suspect who had removed his cannula in August this year.

It left the officer facing an anxious wait for results to see if she will have any long-term health implications as a result.

Elaine McCormill, of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, said: “Every year, we have hundreds of officers who are the victims of assault.

“Injuries are wide-ranging, but the bottom line is it is not part of the job and those who engage in such reprehensible behaviour against officers need to face punitive deterrent penalties through our courts.”