MPs on Thursday (15) called on home secretary Priti Patel to "get a grip" and put an end to the "terrifying rise in violent crime," after it was revealed that the number of offenders avoiding prison for assaulting police officers has doubled over the past decade.
On Thursday night, PC Andrew Harper, a newlywed cop, was killed after being dragged under a getaway van for hundreds of yards.
Condemning Harper's death, independent MP John Woodcock was quoted as saying: "The whole country will feel sorry at the terrible death of PC Harper and fury at the way sick criminals felt able to target a police officer as he tried to serve the public. The new Home Secretary must get a grip of the terrifying rise in violent crime on our streets."
Labour MP Wes Streeting said: "This sickening murder of a police officer follows two attempted murders in as many weeks. No family should have to go through what PC Harper’s family are going through. We can’t respond as though it is business as usual.
"Single crew deployments must end immediately, sentences should be strengthened to provide a tougher deterrent and we need to provide better protective equipment to police, including tasers..."
Figures show that more than more than 20 emergency workers are assaulted every day in the line of duty. Last year only 10 per cent of offenders with more than 25 previous convictions and cautions were jailed, The Times revealed.
Last week, Patel granted cops extra stop-and-search powers in a bid to tackle knife crimes.
She said her action shows her determination to halt street violence “in its tracks”.
Patel said: “We are experiencing a knife crime epidemic. I’m determined to put a stop to it. Police chiefs are clear — stop-and-search is a vital tool in combating the scourge of serious violence.”
Davindra and Seema Misra, and Vijay and Gita Parekh
Varchas Patel with his father Vipin and mother Jayshriben
Hasmukh Shingadia and his wife Chandrika were all victims of the Horizon scandal
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)