‘It’s traumatic for staff involved’: Assaults on cops up by almost 20 per cent

Violent assaults on frontline police in the Northern Territory have increased by almost 20 per cent, new data reveals.

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VIOLENT assaults on frontline police in the Northern Territory have increased by almost 20 per cent, new crime data reveals.

In the past 12 months, more than 200 assaults on police were recorded in the Territory, up by a shocking 19 per cent on the previous year.

St John Ambulance have also recorded more than 70 incidents where paramedics were subject to verbal or physical violence in the past 12 months.

NT Police Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage said the rate of assaults on police and emergency services highlighted the often dangerous job they undertook daily, especially during COVID-19.

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“The COVID pandemic has seen access to extra money from various sources, such as Jobseeker payments and superannuation,” he said.

“After the easing of the lockdown and biosecurity restrictions, we witnessed an increase in crime types often contributed to increased amounts of alcohol being purchased and consumed, subsequently resulting in more mental health issues and assaults including against our officers.”

In one shocking example, a police officer in Alice Springs was bitten on the chest by an 18-year-old woman during an arrest earlier this year.

St John Ambulance director Andrew Thomas said 23 serious paramedic assaults were reported at the end of March, including three incidents where staff had to go to the hospital.

“Our paramedics don’t come to work to get assaulted, and they should not have to worry about their safety,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage said the rate of assaults on police and emergency services highlighted the often dangerous job they undertook daily. Picture: Che Chorley

“We appeal to the public to support our paramedics and give them space to do their work.

“Assaults such as these are traumatic for the staff involved and have a broader impact on the community.

“If we are required to take crews offline due to attacks such as these, the flow-on effect could be delays in providing our services to others in need.

“Our paramedics deserve the right to be able to do their job uninterrupted and in a safe environment.”

There have been no recorded assaults against Fire and Emergency Services personnel in the past 12 months.