Anger as 130 emergency workers a week are assaulted
MORE than 130 emergency service workers are physically assaulted every week in Scotland, figures show.
The number of police officers, firefighters and paramedics attacked while carrying out their jobs has soared by nearly 10 per cent in only two years, with more than 7,000 targeted last year.
However, the figure is likely to be much higher as this does not include serious or sexual assaults.
It comes amid growing calls for tougher sentences for those targeting emergency service workers, with the Scottish Conservatives urging the Scottish Government to introduce whole life sentences for those found guilty of killing police officers.
They are also asking ministers to provide enhanced protective equipment for workers, and ensure that single-crew ambulances are not used ‘as a matter of routine’.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf disclosed the ‘horrifying’ rise in a parliamentary question, revealing the number of common assaults carried out on emergency service workers.
The figures show that there were 7,004 attacks on Scotland’s police officers, firefighters and paramedics in 2017-18, up by 9.2 per cent from 2015-16 when there were 6,414 common assaults.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘It is horrifying that so many assaults on our emergency workers have taken place, and that the numbers continue to increase.
‘The failure to protect our emergency workers from these attacks is a disgrace.’
He added: ‘The SNP must send a message that this behaviour will no longer be tolerated.
‘That means quick prosecutions and tougher sentences.’
Mr Kerr has been leading calls for better protections for emergency workers, as well as tougher punishments for people who target those trying to keep peace or help the public.
The Emergency Workers Act enables penalties of up to 12 months’ imprisonment, a £10,000 fine, or both to be imposed on conviction for offences against emergency workers.
The legislation was extended by the Scottish Government in 2008 to include all health professionals who work in the community, including nurses and doctors. More serious attacks such as attempted murder and murder can see those convicted served with life imprisonment.
However, Mr Kerr has said those guilty of killing on-duty police officers and other emergency workers should be given whole life sentences, meaning they will not be let out of jail.
Earlier this year it was disclosed that there are at present more than 2,500 addresses in Scotland which are ‘red flagged’. This means ambulance crew can only enter with police officers due to fears of violence.
The Scottish Police Federation has said the number of assaults on police officers remains ‘far too high’ and has called for tougher prison services to discourage it.
In the past year there have been cases of officers being bitten and spat on.
Mr Yousaf has said he would consider arming all 17,000 police officers with Tasers after union bosses told him the threat of the devices is often enough to stop criminals being violent or lashing out.
At present police officers are only given a baton and CS spray to incapacitate potential attackers, but experts have said the spray often blows back into the officers face, causing distress to them too.
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: ‘No one should be the victim of abuse or violence while at work. All of our emergency service staff do a fantastic job, often in difficult situations. Any assaults on such staff are despicable and the perpetrators must be dealt with in the strongest possible terms.
‘We continue to encourage all organisations to support criminal proceedings against anyone who assaults our staff.’
Earlier this year a woman was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work after she admitted assaulting two police officers in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire.
Joy Hutton kicked the two officers when an altercation broke out at her home.
As the officers were speaking to her one tried to stop her leaving the property, which led to the first attack. After being handcuffed she then kicked the second officer.
In June two police officers were left with serious injuries after being stabbed while on duty in Greenock.
William Taylor was initially charged with trying to kill Kenneth MacKenzie and Laura Sayer but was acquitted after his defence team argued that he was suffering from a mental disorder.
‘Failure to protect staff is a disgrace’ ‘The SNP must send a message’