Condemning a spate of attacks on firefighters over the weekend, the Minister said it was absolutely unacceptable for anyone to assault emergency workers.
He said: “All our emergency workers strive to protect and save the population from harm. It is likely that those people who are carrying out these cowardly attacks will one day need help from those very staff they are assaulting.
“By attacking fire crews, there is a very real risk that a firefighter will be injured or equipment may be damaged, resulting in a fire engine not being available for a real emergency. These attacks are cowardly and criminal, and have no place in a civilised society. The perpetrators need to be caught and they need to be punished. Communities and parents must also help to try and stop our young people from carrying out these attacks.
“There has to be a zero tolerance response to attacks on all our emergency workers. While firefighters are specifically protected against attacks under legislation, staff who work in ambulances or in hospitals do not currently have similar laws to protect them.
“I am working to bring in new legislation to ensure this changes and I want to ensure this legislation is enforced. I would again encourage all healthcare staff and emergency workers to report all attacks on them.”
Last week, new legislation which will give healthcare staff the right to remove people causing a nuisance or disturbance from hospitals premises, received Royal Assent.
Plans to introduce further tough legislation are also being taken forward by the Minister. He is currently in discussions with the NIO over a proposal to introduce new legislation that will make it a specific offence to assault or impede health and social care workers, whilst in pursuit of their duty.
He continued: “The Fire Service already works closely with local communities to try and address these anti-social and dangerous activities. Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to save lives in their communities. By attacking firefighters these people are attacking the whole community and their actions must be condemned.”
Notes to Editors:
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