Attackers of 999 crews will get twice as long in jail

THUGS who attack emergency workers will face longer sentences under a new law to be backed by the Government this week.

The Ministry of Justice last night said it will support the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill, which will double the maximum sentence for those who assault police, firefighters and NHS staff while on duty.

The legislation, put forward by Labour former minister Chris Bryant, will also require judges to consider the fact a victim is an emergency worker as an aggravating factor in more serious assaults – putting it on a par with hate crimes.

The move follows a surge in assaults on emergency workers in recent years. Official figures show that the number of attacks on NHS staff alone rose from just under 60,000 in 2011/12 to more than 70,000 four years later.

While assaulting a police officer is already a specific crime, other emergency workers have only limited additional protection in law.

Mr Bryant last night welcomed the move, which means his Private Member’s Bill is now likely to become law next year.

‘I hope this new law will put an end to the worrying rise in assaults on workers in the emergency workers,’ he said.

‘All too often magistrates seem to think it is just part of people’s jobs to accept they might get punched if they work in the emergency services. That is not acceptable, and we need to change it.’

Under the existing law, those who attack emergency workers are typically charged with common assault, which carries a maximum six-month jail sentence.

The new law, which will be debated by MPs on Friday, will create an offence of assaulting an emergency worker, with a maximum 12-month sentence.

An additional element of the new legislation will also force those who spit at emergency workers to submit a DNA sample for testing.

Mr Bryant said many staff have to wait months before they can be sure they have not been infected with HIV after being spat on. Those who refuse to provide samples will face a £500 fine.