New sentencing rules for people who attack ambulance crews

By The Newsroom
Published 13th Sep 2018, 13:33 BST
Updated 13th Sep 2018, 15:02 BST
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Offenders who assault ambulance crews will face a doubled prison sentence thanks to a new bill which has been given Royal Assent.

The maximum prison sentence for a common assault has now increased from six months to one year, if the victim is a member of the emergency services. In addition, sexual assaults will also be added to the law as aggravating features of attacks.

The Assaults on Emergency Workers Bill has been through parliament and was today given Royal Assent in the House of Lords.

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Since April this year, our dedicated frontline staff have reported 476 assaults, including five incidents involving spitting, five involving knives, two involving firearms and three involving racial abuse.

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Mark Ward, security management specialist for EMAS, said: “We welcome this development and I hope the increase in sentencing will act as a greater deterrent to anyone who thinks of lashing out at our crews.

“Assaults on our staff are