Commitment for new legislation to protect firefighters

Date published: 06/03/2006

As a result of the high profile campaign, calling for specific legislation to be introduced to protect firefighters and other emergency service workers, ministers have made a commitment to support a specific offence, in addition to introducing a number of other non-legislative measures.

The Local Government Association, Fire Authorities from all over the country and the Chief Fire Officers Association supported Alan William’s MP Private Members Bill.

Following discussions with Mr Williams and County Fire Officer Barry Dixon, ministers have agreed to the following;

• To support the introduction of a new offence dealing with obstructing or impeding an emergency service worker responding to an emergency. This will relate to ambulance workers and firefighters. It will be punishable by fine.
• As this is only punishable by fine and many of the offences are carried out by juveniles, further work will be undertaken to explore how acceptable behaviour contracts, parenting contracts and anti-social behaviour orders can be used. This will ensure a clear message is sent out that obstructing emergency workers is unacceptable.
• Courts will be encouraged to make greater use of community penalties, where appropriate. For example, young people involved in attacks on firefighters will be required to take part in fire service youth schemes.
• Ensure courts and the Crown Prosecution Service are aware of how severe incidents of attacks are and work will also be undertaken with the Sentencing Guidelines Council to highlight the seriousness of offences involving emergency workers.

Councillor Walker, Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority said, “The Authority is pleased with the impact the campaign has had and the progress that has been made to reach an agreement to introduce a new offence. We have received significant support from the LGA and Fire Authorities from all over the country which has been extremely helpful. Firefighters and ambulance workers have a vital role in the community and should be able to carry out their duties without fear of attack or obstruction. This progress brings us one step closer to achieving this as we continue to battle against the yob culture that sadly seems to exist in some of our communities.”

County Fire Officer Barry Dixon said, “We are obviously pleased with the commitment which has been made by ministers. Strengthening the legal framework will complement the fantastic work that goes on at local level to prevent attacks occurring in the first place. We hope that all these measures will help to address the unacceptable attacks our firefighters and ambulance workers find themselves subjected to on a regular basis whilst saving lives.

There is still a significant amount of work to be done and the campaign will not end here. We will continue to ensure that the commitments made are honoured and wherever we can contribute and assist, we will. I would like to thank everyone who has assisted us with the campaign for their magnificent support.”