APCC backs greater protections for emergency workers
Ahead of this Friday’s Second Reading of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill in the House of Commons, APCC Workforce portfolio lead, Ron Hogg PCC said:
“Our Police and wider emergency services work tirelessly to keep us safe and it is right that Parliament responds to ensure that there are greater protections in place than there are currently.
“The Police Federation estimate that a police officer is assaulted every 13 seconds and in 2016 around 70,000 assaults were recorded on NHS staff in England and Wales.
“Emergency workers must be able to do their job without the constant threat of being assaulted. By making these types of assaults aggravated offences, carrying tougher sentences, this Bill will act as a powerful deterrent – sending a strong message that these types of offences will not be tolerated in any way.
“This Bill has the support of the APCC, we are encouraged by the Government’s commitment to back the legislation at Second Reading, and we want to see it come into force at the earliest possible opportunity.”