Priti Patel to unveil two-year jail sentences for 'thugs' who assault emergency workers

Priti Patel has pledged to unveil plans within weeks to double the sentences for offenders who assault emergency workers to two years to “make these thugs think twice.”

The Home Secretary’s pledge came as police figures showed assaults on emergency service workers have risen by 24 per cent in the four weeks to June 7, driven by a surge in spitting and coughing attacks on staff.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council attributed it to Covid-related attacks where offenders claimed to have the disease then spat or coughed at workers as well as the disorder in protests triggered by the death of George Floyd in the US. It follows a 14 per cent rise in such assaults in the previous month.

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, told The Daily Telegraph: “The senseless violence we have seen levelled at brave police officers in recent weeks is incredibly alarming.  

“An attack on one of our brave officers is an attack on us all. I have always been clear that anyone who assaults the people who run towards danger to keep the rest of us safe should expect to face the full force of the law.  

“Last week, I spoke to officers who had been attacked in the line of duty to hear at first hand the devastating impact on them and their loved ones. Their accounts have only strengthened my resolve to step up the support for our police.  

“The Justice Secretary and I are determined to get justice for emergency service workers who are assaulted while on the job, so in the next few weeks we will launch a consultation on doubling the maximum sentence for assaulting an emergency worker to make these thugs think twice.”

The NPCC figures also showed overall crime has started to creep up after falling by 28 per cent at the peak of the lockdown. It was down overall by 18 per cent in the last month, according to the provisional data from all 43 police forces in England and Wales.

However, domestic abuse incidents saw a “concerning” eight per cent rise compared with last year, up from a four per cent increase in the month to May 10, according to the NPCC.

Police chiefs believe the relaxation of lockdown has made it easier for victims to report incidents to police after being restricted by being locked in 24/7 with their abusive partners.

Other crimes were still significantly down on the same period last year. Rape fell by 47 per cent, shoplifting by 51 per cent, burglary by 33 per cent, theft from a vehicle by 38 per cent and assaults and robberies by 25 per cent.

Dame Vera Baird, the victims’ commissioner, said the eight per cent rise in domestic abuse was “disappointed” but she feared it hugely under-represented the reality.  

“For some who are living in terror in their own home, the opportunity to report the abuse they are being subjected to might only come when we step out of lockdown altogether,” she said.  

“And these figures do not capture the whole range of incidents people are facing. For example, we know there is increased reporting of anti-social behaviour, cyber-crime and in some parts of the country, hate crime.    

“The message has to be, regardless of lockdown and social distancing, if you are the victim of a crime you must report it. You are not alone.  The police are working and those agencies supporting victims are also working. If you need any help – please reach out and it will be given.”