Tough new law to halt assaults on 999 workers

VIOLENT yobs who attack emergency workers will be jailed for longer under a new law coming in from November.

The maximum sentence for those who assault police, firefighters, NHS staff and prison officers while they are on duty is being doubled from six to 12 months by the Ministry of Justice.

Judges will also be required to consider longer jail terms for more serious offences against 999 staff, including GBH, sexual assault and manslaughter.

The Assaults On Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill is set to be passed today.

There were 26,000 assaults on police officers in 2017, official figures show.

Violence on prison officers rose by 70 per cent in the past three years to a record 8,429, while attacks on NHS staff increased from just under 60,000 in 201112 to more than 70,000 four years later.

Kim Sunley, from the Royal College of Nursing, said: ‘Assaults remain a fact of life for many healthcare workers. This is the first step towards changing that.’

Ministers are also bringing in measures to protect prison officers, including rolling out body-worn cameras, ‘policestyle’ handcuffs and restraints.