Get tough on thugs who attack hospital staff – MP

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ATTACKS on public sector workers such as hospital and ambulance staff, firefighters and prison officers should be made a specific offence attracting a severe punishment, according to MP Helen Jones.
The Warrington North MP wants the government to introduce a specific offence of attacking a public sector worker in the course of their duty.
She raised the issue during questions to the Attorney General in the House of Commons.
Ms Jones said: “The officers at HMP Risley in my constituency are concerned about the increasing violence in prisons, but other public sector workers, such as hospital and ambulance workers, are
also on the front line.
“Will the Attorney-General ensure that the CPS takes a stand on those
cases and prosecutes them rigorously, and will he discuss with his colleagues in government the need to introduce a particular offence, carrying an exemplary sentence, of assaulting a public sector worker in the course of their duties?
Later the MP said recent scenes in A&E departments had brought home the difficulties public sector workers had to deal with.
She said: “I believe that if anyone attacks a nurse in A&E, a paramedic trying to assist them or a firefighter at work, this ought to be a specific offence and merits a severe punishment.
“Political parties have discussed this for some time but we now need to
act.
“Assaults on staff in the course of their work are increasing and must be
stopped. Such behaviour is not acceptable anywhere but it is even worse when directed at someone trying to help sick or injured people or those in danger.
“I hope that the government will look at this seriously. We are not overburdened with legislation at the moment so we should get on with it.”


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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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