Emergency Services Assaults
2020-09-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
There has been an increase in assaults on emergency workers, particularly those involving drink and drugs. Sussex MPs met with the south-east coast ambulance service team to discuss this issue.
What steps her Department is taking to protect emergency service workers from assault?
I have said before in this Chamber and will say it again: anybody who lays a malicious finger on a police officer, or indeed any emergency worker, should face swift and severe retribution through the criminal justice system. We recently announced our intention to double the maximum sentence for assaults on emergency workers.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Sussex MPs met with the south-east coast ambulance service team and were concerned about an increase in assaults on emergency workers, particularly those involving drink or drugs.
Can the Minister, through his Department and across Government, work to ensure that when it comes to policing, prosecution and sentencing of these individuals, drink or drug abuse is an aggravating factor, not a mitigating factor, and that we stand by our ambulance personnel and ensure that those who abuse them go behind bars?
There is absolutely no excuse for assaulting any kind of emergency worker. I will take into account the point about aggravating factors when we consider doubling the sentence in legislation. The Sentencing Council is about to start a review of the sentencing of assault, and I urge him and others to make a submission to that forum as to aggravating factors.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to treating drink or drug abuse as an aggravating factor in legislation at this moment but will consider it during the review process.
Under Review
Taking Into Account
Response accuracy