The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Private Members Bill has passed its second reading in the House of Commons. As a Private Member’s Bill, introduced by Chris Bryant (the Labour MP for Rhondda, who topped the ballot for Private Members’ Bills) it has a fair chance of going on to becoming law, as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice Sam Gyimah said that the Government supports the Bill. It now goes to committee.
Mr Gyimah said: “Every day, emergency workers across the country show remarkable courage simply in carrying out their duties. They save lives, protect communities and uphold the law. We owe each and every one of them a debt of gratitude, and they deserve the full protection of the law. Introducing tougher sentences for such despicable attacks on emergency workers sends the clearest possible message that this cowardly behaviour will not be tolerated.”
He did make the point that current sentencing guidelines used by the courts make it clear that if any offence is “committed against those working in the public sector or providing a service to the public”, that should be considered as a factor increasing seriousness, indicating the need for a higher sentence.
The Bill, briefly, aims to make offences such as assault aggravated when perpetrated against emergency workers in the exercise of their duty; such as police and prison officers, fire and rescue workers and ambulance crews. While the security industry did not get a look-in in that list, it does include immigration removal centres, and people providing services generally in hospital accident and emergency departments. As was aired in the debate over the second reading on October 20, some MPs pointed to the ‘problems with the definition of an emergency worker’. Traffic wardens, paramedics and psychiatric nurses were among those also suggested to fall under the definition. The risks of violent and aggressive behaviour to MPs in their work was mentioned in the debate; and Chris Bryant began his introduction to the debate with praise for PC Keith Palmer, murdered at the gates of the Palace of Westminster this year during the Westminster Bridge terror attack; but no MP during the three hours of debate mentioned security officers.
After the second reading, Calum Macleod, Vice Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales said: “This is a great result for emergency service workers in England and Wales. The Government has done as pledged and backed the bill. Today’s result is a move in the right direction but there is still some way to go. We now need to be allocated sufficient parliamentary time for the bill to be scrutinised, amended if necessary and enacted.
“This will be such a monumental change in the law that means so much – we need to get it right and we need to get it legislated soon. Our emergency services need better protection now – they need to go about their jobs knowing that there are stronger deterrents and stronger sanctions in place.
“We have been supported by so many to get thus far, specifically by Holly Lynch MP and Chris Bryant MP. The outpouring of public support had been astounding and a tremendous boost for those who take extreme risks to help others. We thank those who continue to support our calls to better Protect the Protectors.”
For more about the Bill visit parliament.uk. You can sign a petition at change.org.
Meanwhile John Hannett, the General Secretary of the shop staff trade union Usdaw, said that he has been very disappointed that the Government has on five occasions blocked Labour attempts to provided stiffer sentences for those who assault workers.
