Hartlepool MP calls for 'full force of the law' to be brought down on those who attack emergency workers

Over the last three weeks, North East Ambulance Service crews have been punched, kicked and had bricks thrown at an ambulance and equipment damaged in seven separate attacks.

In the latest incident on Saturday, July 25, a crew were assaulted and their vehicle damaged by a man they stopped to help as he was walking the wrong way up the A19 near Peterlee.

MP for Hartlepool Mike Hill said he is appalled at the wave of violence since the easing of the lockdown and urged the courts to send out a strong message they are unacceptable.

He said: "I am utterly shocked and appalled that frontline NHS ambulance crews are being subjected to violent attacks for simply carrying out their duties and saving lives.

“There is absolutely no excuse for such behaviour and I completely back the North East Ambulance Service in their call for the courts to administer appropriate sentences to these thugs.

“I was a strong supporter of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act which was introduced two years ago to introduce longer sentences for people convicted of assaulting emergency staff acting in the course of their employment, and in light of these statistics I would encourage judges to use the full force of the law to lay down the message that such attacks are unacceptable.

“Thankfully none of these recorded attacks have so far happened in Hartlepool, but it’s only a matter of time, and a strong message needs to go out that such behaviour is unacceptable and will be severely punished by the courts.

"Our emergency workers should not be put at harm simply by doing their job and safeguarding lives.”

NEAS deputy chief executive Paul Liversidge said the service has seen an increasing and worrying trend of violence towards ambulance crews, often linked to alcohol or drug abuse.

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