The Gibraltar Police Federation have issued a statement following the recent violence towards the police and emergency service workers.

A statement from Gibraltar Police Federation follows below:

A number of violent incidents last week, where Police officers sustained injuries when carrying out their  duties, again bring into sharp focus and highlight the  challenges that Police officers and all other emergency service workers are facing on an  increasing basis, and the affects that the rise of  violence against these workers has on the community  we serve. 

These dedicated men and women make sacrifices that  are not always understood by those who do not live in  the world this small number of individuals in uniform  inhabit every day. 

Please do not underestimate or ignore that whilst the  physical injuries can heal relatively quickly, the  psychological harm caused by repeatedly attending  violent, tragic, emotional and traumatic events lasts a  lifetime, and often affects them psychologically long  after they hang up their uniforms. 

We can also not forget that injuries sustained impact  the level of care, protection and service we are able  to provide to you the community, something that you  the public have come to expect without question. Whilst officers are forced to take sick leave in order to  recover from injuries sustained, it causes the ever thinning blue line to stretch dangerously close to its  breaking point, placing more and more pressure on  those still working. 

Christmas, Birthdays, social gatherings and  numerous other events are sacrificed so that you can  all enjoy them in the knowledge that someone is out  there 24/7 guarding the gates to the citadel and  protecting you all.

Undoubtedly recent events in numerous countries  have cast a shadow on policing and whilst inevitably  there have been failings in rooting out those who  abuse, or utilize their position for their own gains, the  vast majority of officers go about their business  quietly and professionally, ensuring that in your hour  of need there will always be someone there to shield  you from harm and uphold the law, which is  sacrosanct for the preservation of peace in Gibraltar. 

Violence towards and assaults on these vital  individuals in our community cannot and should not  go unpunished once they are brought before our  courts. A strong message needs to be sent out to those  who believe they have carte blanch to use violence  against emergency service and care workers and then  expect to return to their daily lives with nothing more  than a slap on the wrist. 

All emergency service workers like the police have volunteered a life of service to protect the public. All they ask for is for them to be protected in return. Enough is enough!