Page 10 - Federation Magazine: April/May 2018

Protect the Protectors

Welsh Assembly

supports assaults bill

news, saying: “This is definitely a step in the cross-party support from MPs and other
right direction – the more support we can partners.
get from people for this bill the better. Rhondda MP Chris Byrant, who is
“While there is still a long way to go, we sponsoring the bill in Parliament, said: “An
need all the support we can get to ensure attack on an emergency worker is, in a
that police officers, police staff and other sense, an attack on all of us because they’re
emergency service workers are protected in simply trying to save other people’s lives. I
law. just think that we need to say loud and clear
“Assaults have been as part of the job for that if you attack an emergency worker, we
far too long now and it needs to change. It will not put up with it.”
should not be seen as acceptable and Calum Macleod, chair of the Police
sentences should reflect that. Police and Federation for England and Wales, has
staff in the other emergency services are welcomed the bill’s progress. He explained:
committed to serving and protecting their “The result in Wales is incredibly
communities but sadly they need protection encouraging as it’s what we have been
too.” working towards for the past few years.
If enacted, the bill, which received its Getting support in the Welsh Assembly will
second reading in the House of Commons hopefully move us a step closer to getting
last year, will: the result we need in order to help protect
Rhondda MP Chris Byrant. l Introduce new offences including our members. Day in, day out, officers put
wounding or assault when perpetrated concerns for their own safety behind their
he Welsh Assembly has backed a bill against an emergency worker in the desire to protect the public and serve their
which is seeking to give police officers performance of their duties communities.
Tand other emergency personnel l Compel those suspected of assault “The law has to change to show how
better protection from assaults. – including spitting - who may pose a heinous it is to attack any member of the
If passed, the Assaults on Emergency health risk to undergo blood tests emergency services. It should never be the
Workers (Offences) Bill will lead to tougher l Make it an offence to refuse to undergo case that violence is accepted as ‘just part of
sentences for those who attack emergency such tests, and the job’. We will continue to push our
service workers. Thanks to the backing of the l Lay down tough sentences for those Protect the Protectors campaign until the
Welsh Assembly the UK legislation would convicted of these new offences. law is enacted and I hope that Members of
also take effect in Wales. The bill is the culmination of the Parliament in Westminster will continue to
John Williams, acting chair of West Federation’s nationwide Protect the support these legislative changes and pass
Midlands Police Federation, welcomed the Protectors campaign which has won this legislation in April.”

Federation lobbies MPs

Federation branches are contacting MPs to outline concerns about the bill to include a provision which will increase the maximum
the current provisions of Chris Bryant’s Assaults on Emergency sentence to 24, rather than 12, months.
Service Workers Private Members’ Bill. Another concern is that the Government considers sexual
The bill is set for its third reading on Friday 27 April 2018. assault, which would be covered by Clause 2, should not be included
The Police Federation of England and Wales has a fundamental as sexual assault is already a serious crime and seeks not to create a
problem with the leniency in terms of sentencing in Clause 1 of two-tiered system based on whether the victim is wearing a uniform.
the bill as it stands. But the Federation believes some emergency workers are sexually
The sentencing proposed is, at first glance, an improvement at assaulted because they are wearing a uniform so wants sexual
12 months. But, while welcoming the increase in sentencing for assault to be included in Clause 2.
common assault and battery for emergency worker colleagues, the Finally, the Federation notes the change in the Government’s
Federation believes there will be little change to current provisions position around the taking of blood samples, a measure which could
for police officers. save those who are spat at or bitten from months of anxiety. It
It is therefore asking the Government to consider amending wants this provision to remain.

10 federation April/May 2018 www.westmidspolfed.com