A fire service is welcoming the news that assaults on emergency service workers will be treated more seriously.
The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill, which received royal assent on September 13, will see the maximum prison sentence for a common assault on an emergency services or NHS worker double from six to 12 months.
Prison officers, police officers, firefighters and ambulance personnel are among those who will be covered by the new law.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service has welcomed the news, with Rob Davis the assistant chief fire officer, saying: “It is completely unacceptable for our staff to be threatened, attacked or verbally abused while responding to incidents in the area.
“While the numbers of incidents our staff face is relatively low, just one is too many.”
The law also give protection to unpaid volunteers who support the services.
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