- 07/03/2018
- Posted by: Mike Hedges MS
- Category: Uncategorized
Local Labour AM Mike Hedges AM has proudly voted to support a new law that will offer more protection for our police, firefighters and NHS workers.
The Welsh Labour Government this week voted that a proposed new law aimed at cracking down on attacks on emergency workers should apply in Wales by backing a Legislative Consent Motion.
Welsh Labour Rhondda MP, Chris Bryant, has put forward legislation to Parliament that would make it an aggravated offence to attack an emergency worker. The vote in the Senedd on Tuesday 27th February ensured the new law for 999 staff would also apply in Wales.
With 248 police officers assaulted in South Wales last year and 1250 of NHS workers in ABMU health area in 2016 (the last year for which official statistics are available), this law aims to help deter people from assaulting the workers who protect our public on a daily basis, and to ensure those that do face tough sanctions.
The new law has support from the Royal College of Nursing, Unison, The Fire Brigades Union, the Police Federation, The British Transport Police and the GMB union.
Mike Hedges AM said…..
“I was proud to back this legislation. Any assault on emergency workers is unacceptable, and it’s about time the law reflected the seriousness of attacks on people working for the public good. Society owes a debt of thanks to our emergency workers, so Parliament now needs to give them the support and protection they need.”
“It’s absolutely unacceptable that the hard-working men and women in [insert area]’s NHS, Fire and Police services face serious assault and abuse simply for doing their jobs trying to keep us all safe and well.”
The new law has support from the Royal College of Nursing, Unison, The Fire Brigades Union, the Police Federation, The British Transport Police and the GMB union.
It comes after Chris Bryant MP came top of the ballot for ‘Private Members Bills’ in Parliament, a mechanism that allows an MP to put forward a proposal to be debated in parliament and potentially made into law. After opening a public vote on which issue to put forward, Mr Bryant went with the majority winner which was this Bill to stop attacks on emergency workers.
Chris Bryant MP said:
“I’m taking forward this Bill after hearing of the literally thousands of horrifying attacks on our emergency workers every year. No one should be attacked just for doing their job, let alone when that job is putting themselves on the line for the public good.
“Passing this Bill will send a clear message that we will not tolerate violence and abuse towards those who protect us, and it will hopefully help stem the tide of this worrying trend of assaults towards them.”
**Ends**