A South Tyneside MP is backing calls to crackdown on violence against emergency workers. South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck was speaking as the GMB released horrifying figures which show the number of violent attacks on ambulance staff has increased nationally by 34% in just four years. The North East Ambulance Service has reported an increase in the number of assaults from 240 in 2012/13 to 292 in 2017/18. Nationally, the number of sexual assaults and other sexually abusive incidents increased by 211% between 2012/13 and 2016/17. On Friday, the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill faces its final House of Commons vote. It would introduce a new offence of common assault against an emergency worker and require courts to treat attacks on emergency workers as an aggravating factor for sentencing purposes. Our emergency service workers do a brilliant job, keeping us safe and protecting us from harm. In doing so, their own safety must be paramount. Emma Lewell-Buck Emma Lewell-Buck said: “Our emergency service workers do a brilliant job, keeping us safe and protecting us from harm. “In doing so, their own safety must be paramount. The numbers of physical assaults against emergency service staff is shocking. “It is right that they receive better legal protections -that is why I support this bill.” The GMB has revealed that ambulance staff have been bitten, stabbed and had blood spat at them in a barrage of more than 14,000 physical assaults since 2012. Following its major investigation into the situation, the union… [Read full story]
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