GMB calls for more prosecutions


General union GMB has called for arrests over attacks on emergency workers to be matched by prosecutions, tougher sentencing and culture change. Its call came after new figures obtained by the BBC showed that police across England and Wales have made more than 6,500 arrests for attacks on emergency service workers since new laws introducing longer sentences came into force last year.


Following a successful union campaign, the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 came into effect in November 2018, making it a specific criminal offence to assault an emergency service worker in England and increasing the maximum sentence for assaults, including sexual assault. The GMB’s 2018 In harm’s way report showed a 34% increase in physical assaults recorded by Ambulance Trusts in just three years.


https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/tougher-action-needed-emergency-worker-attacks-revealed