A police officer who struggled with severe anxiety after being violently attacked on duty is encouraging colleagues not to suffer in silence if they experience mental health challenges.
In March last year, PC Paul Wood and two of his colleagues were called to a man trespassing on the tracks at Chadwell Heath railway station. The man had been seen walking into a nearby industrial park, so a containment was put in place and PC Wood made his way there.
The man became extremely violent as PC Wood attempted to detain him, attacking the officer with a bottle. The man ran off but was intercepted by PC Wood's colleagues, one of whom he also assaulted.
PC Wood suffered serious wounds to the back of his head and neck. He initially received first aid from members of the public before being taken to hospital where he had emergency treatment for an arterial bleed and heavy blood loss. Paul received 26 stitches and had pieces of glass being removed from his head.
The man who attacked PC Wood has since pleaded guilty to several charges and is now the subject of a hospital order.
The impact of the incident
PC Wood has opened up about the severe anxiety he suffered for months after the attack. He is sharing his story in the hope colleagues won't just 'put on a brave face' and will seek support with their mental health if they need it.
PC Wood said: "You can be in this job for so many years and I just thought I'd be able to deal with this a lot better than I have. It's been really hard. The wounds have healed up but it's the psychological side of things that I've really suffered with. Exaggerated nightmares, sleep, anxiety, a whole spectrum of stuff that I didn't even think would occur. It's been really difficult."
In the small hours and with sleep eluding him, Paul found solace in creating art on his laptop
Recognising what was happening to him, PC Wood sought help and is urging others to do the same.
He said: "It doesn't make you less of a person to accept professional help or medication. I am not afraid to tell you I am taking an antidepressant to help me cope with the emotional roller coaster effects of the PTSD, anxiety and depression I suffered following this incident.
"There is a certain taboo attached with antidepressants, I understand that. However, if you had a headache, you would take an aspirin or paracetamol; my condition needed a medical remedy. It's not always the whole answer, but it has helped along with the cognitive behaviour therapy which the job organised and implemented.
"This whole thing has had a huge effect on me mentally which has taken the best part of 14 months to deal with. I have really struggled to cope at times and constantly questioned my own sanity. So, I would recommend and urge everyone to take the help that the job offer you.
"It doesn't matter how small of a worry it may be, talk to colleagues your supervisor, OH, TrIM. There's also your family doctor, your family members, your partner or parents. We are human beings and not superheroes. It's OK not to be ok."
Attacks on officers increasing
In the course of their duties, police officers across the country face trauma daily. Increasingly that trauma comes in the form of attacks against them; Home Office statistics show there were 997 assaults on BTP officers in 2021/22 compared to 613 in 2017/18.
Research conducted by a team of sociologists at the University of Cambridge and funded by the charity Police Care UK found that 90% of police workers who responded had been exposed to trauma. Of these, one in five reported experiencing either PTSD or Complex PTSD symptoms in the previous four weeks.
Sources of support
If, having read Paul's story, you recognise any of the feelings he has spoken about, there are various routes you can take to get support. Help is available via BTP and the Federation, but there are several external organisations - those that familiar with policing or that are specialists in mental health - that can help.
Find out more about the support available here.