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New law to tackle 'national scandal' of attacks on emergency workers

Amid a spate of violence, a new law is set to double the maximum sentence for attacking officers, firefighters and paramedics.

A West Midlands Ambulance was vandalised, resulting in a broken wing mirror and mud on the vehicle. Credit: West Midlands Ambulance Service
Image: A West Midlands Ambulance was vandalised during an incident back in April
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Criminals who attack emergency service workers could get double the jail time under a new law to clamp down on violence.

The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill, which will receive royal assent on Thursday, will see the maximum sentence for attacking police, prison officers, firefighters and paramedics increase from six months to 12.

A West Midlands Ambulance was vandalised, resulting in a broken wing mirror and mud on the vehicle. Credit: West Midlands Ambulance Service
Image: A West Midlands Ambulance was vandalised during an incident back in April

Labour MP Chris Bryant, who presented the bill, said: "The growing tide of attacks on emergency workers, including ambulance workers, NHS staff, fire officers, prison officers and police, is a national scandal.

"All too often, attackers get away with little more than a slap on the wrist.

"I hope this new law will help put a stop to that attitude."

Labour MP Chris Bryant speaks in the Commons
Image: Labour MP Chris Bryant introduced the bill

The government backed the legislation, which comes into force in November and covers other offences such as sexual assault and grievous bodily harm.

It means judges will also have to consider longer sentences for those crimes when they are committed against an emergency services worker, including search and rescue services and custody officers.

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Justice minister Rory Stewart has welcomed the tougher stance, condemning attacks against prison officers and other emergency workers as "violence against the public as a whole".

Pic: South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Image: Ambulance staff were pelted with objects while responding to a 999 call in Eastleigh in June

Kim Sunley, national officer at the Royal College of Nursing, added: "Physical assaults remain a fact of life for many healthcare workers, from A&E to community services.

"This bill is the first step towards changing that for good."

Woman charged over angry note on ambulance
Woman charged over angry note on ambulance

The note said the ambulance had "no right to be parked" where it was, demanding that it be moved "from outside my house".

Back in June, in which ambulance staff were pelted with bricks, glasses, tables, chairs and other items while responding to a report of a 13-year-old girl having a cardiac arrest.

An ambulance and a rapid response car were damaged during the violence and more crews had to be sent to the scene in Eastleigh, Hampshire, as backup.

Two months earlier, another ambulance crew described how their vehicle came under attack in Telford as they treated a patient inside.

The wing mirror of the vehicle was broken, mud was thrown across its side, and the crew reported hearing banging noises as if the vehicle was being struck as they attended to the medical case.

Doctor leaves angry note on ambulance outside A&E
Doctor leaves angry note on ambulance outside A&E

The aggressive note by an A&E consultant was spotted by a paramedic in another ambulance, who shared it on social media.

Professor Jane Cummings, chief nursing officer for England, said she hoped such incidents would be brought to an end thanks to the new law.

"We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to deliberate threats, abuse or violence made to NHS staff," she said.

"This behaviour from patients or members of the public will never be tolerated and should rightly be reported to police."