July 4th 2024.
When PC Tim Smithson, a young police officer of only 23 years, responded to a domestic incident, he had no idea he would be facing a life-threatening situation. As he and his colleague entered the property, everything seemed fairly routine. That was until they went into the kitchen to discuss their next steps. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the suspect, Tariq Zeb, who was 53 years old, followed them in and brandished a kitchen knife, lunging towards them with intent to harm.
PC Smithson recounted the terrifying moment, saying, "Without a doubt, he wanted to hurt us. He was going for us with the knife, as well as punching us. The judge said that it was down to luck that there were no fatalities that day." Fortunately, PC Smithson only suffered a nasty wound to his cheek, just below his left eye. But the reality that things could have been much worse was not lost on him. "I could've lost an eye, I could've been blinded," he acknowledged.
Zeb was later arrested and charged with GBH with intent and assault occasioning ABH. He was sentenced to five years and five months in prison. However, the impact of the attack still lingers for PC Smithson. "It's scary to think what could have happened if my head had been any lower or the man's arm was higher," he shared. "I could've been blinded. Mentally, what happened still impacts me every time I head out on duty."
PC Smithson is not alone in his concern for officer safety. Recent statistics show that there were 2,475 assaults on police officers in West Midlands Police, resulting in 893 injuries. This alarming trend is something that PC Smithson feels strongly about, saying, "Assaults on officers are becoming far too common, and it's not acceptable. Our job is to help people, so why do so many of us continue to be violently assaulted?"
Despite the traumatic experience, PC Smithson is grateful for the support he received from the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers. He shared, "Branch chair Rich Cooke called me the day after the incident to check in. It meant a lot to know that I had their support during such a difficult time." Mr. Cooke also commended PC Smithson's bravery and composure during the attack, saying, "Tim showed tremendous composure and stoicism in the face of such a vicious, unprovoked attack."
PC Smithson's sergeant and Federation representative, Gemma Griffith, also praised his bravery, saying, "Tim is a credit to the Force. He has continued to put members of the public first when he had gone through his own distressing and personal ordeal." She also acknowledged the impact that the attack has had on PC Smithson, revealing that he returned to work just a few days after the incident, despite the personal toll it must have taken on him.
In the end, PC Smithson hopes that his story will serve as a reminder of the dangers that police officers face every day while serving their communities. He wants people to understand the personal toll that these attacks have on both the officers and their families. "Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy the job," he said. "But it's definitely left me with a level of anxiety and apprehension. And it's not just me, it's my family too. They found it very distressing, and they constantly worry about me."
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