Nia Griffith MP has come out in support of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill which is currently at the second reading stage in Parliament.
The Private Member’s Bill was introduced by Chris Bryant, Member of Parliament for Rhondda, and seeks to make an assault against emergency workers including firefighters, police, paramedics and nurses a specific offence, and to increase sentences for those who assault members of the emergency services in future. The Bill will be debated by MPs in the Commons Chamber on Friday 20 October and if passed will proceed to the committee stage and then to a final vote.
Speaking about the Bill, Nia Griffith MP said:“Friday is usually my constituency business day, but on Friday 20th October I am staying up in Parliament to ensure that we get the 100 MPs there that we need to secure the next stage of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill. Our emergency services deserve the respect of all they serve to protect. It is vital that those who commit an offence understand that it will not be tolerated and that prosecution and a possible custodial sentence will follow. It is also essential that members of the emergency services are able to conduct their duties effectively without fear of assault and I will be supporting this Bill throughout its legislative journey. I hope that colleagues across the House will commit to doing the same.”
