New law protects protectors

Those opposed to separate laws for police and emergency services argue that these groups should have no more rights than the ordinary man or woman on the street.

The law, in theory, should be the same for all, showing no favour to individual groups.

There is, however, a fundamental difference between the ordinary man or woman on the street and our emergency services.

When trouble strikes, the emergency services head towards it. We can choose to run away.

They deserve more protection in law. And now they’re getting it.

The Sunderland Echo, on behalf of our readers, has long pushed for tougher sentences for those attack our emergency service personnel.

Yesterday, the new Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill was given Royal Assent. It makes it a criminal offence to assault workers including police, paramedics, firefighters, prison officers, search and rescue personnel and custody officers.

The current six-month maximum sentence for assault will be doubled to a year under the new crime created by the bill.

By every measure, attacks on our emergency workers are on the increase. It is of particular concern in our NHS, where paramedics and nursing staff – already under huge pressure – find themselves being assaulted and abused by the very people they are trying to help.

A recent survey of staff at North East hospital trusts revealed one in six had been assaulted.

Shameful, but at last they are afforded greater support in the courts.

When we ask who protects the protectors, this new law can answer it honestly. We do!