LANCASHIRE'S chief constable Andy Rhodes has condemned people who film attacks on police officers on their phones rather than help them.

He spoke out after footage of two policemen being assaulted making an arrest in South London went viral on social media.

Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh warned officers have to let violent suspects go because of lack of support from the public.

Mr Rhodes, speaking as spokesman on officer's' well-being for the National Police Chiefs' Council, branded the video 'sickening'.

He compared it to August social media footage of a 14-year-old girl in Accrington biting an officer.

Mr Rhodes warned of a growing trend for members of the public to stand by and film attacks on emergency service workers and then 'glorifying' the incidents, adding: "Is this the sort of society we want to live in?"

He said: "People are obsessed with trying to capture footage that's going to get them hits on You Tube or wherever.

"I also think there is something more sinister. I think some of these people are actually glorifying some of the attacks on emergency workers.

"What you are going to see more and more is police officers wanting more protection ."

Mr Rhodes said there was difference between this behaviour and the people filming incidents for evidential purposes or ringing 999 to call for assistance.

He said: "Many members of the public do incredibly brave things to keep us safe.

"This is not a green light for 'have-a-go heroes'. We are saying there is a difference between helping us and hindering us and glorifying some of the things that are being filmed ay the moment."

Mr Rhodes highlighted three bravery awards given this week to Lancastrians who had intervened 'sensibly and proportionately' to help his officers but said said he was not asking ordinary people to 'get involved in physical violence on the streets'.

Blackburn MP Kate Hollern said: "I am not opposed to the public assisting the police if it is safe to do so. Surely the root cause of this problem is the cuts that have been imposed upon the police by successive Home Secretaries. The police desperately need more resources."

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