Norfolk’s PCC calls for tougher sentences for those who attack police

Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner has appealed for tougher sentences for those convicted of attacking emergency services personnel.

Lorne Green has written to Norfolk’s MPs urging them to back his call for changes to the 'Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill' due to go before Parliament in April.

The Bill proposes to increase sentencing for such crimes from 6 months to 1 year – Lorne would like to see a maximum penalty of five years.

In his letter to MPs Lorne, said: “In our county alone, in a recent 12 month period, 390 assaults were recorded against police officers. In the current calendar year, at least 22 such assaults were recorded in the first few weeks.

“This is an intolerable situation.  We need our police officers and other emergency workers on the front line, not sitting as patients in hospital A&Es.  We need our police officers and other emergency workers on duty, not absent on sick leave.

“I consider that we have an important duty as public officials to do all we can to protect our protectors.”

Lorne has called for “collective cross-party support” from the Norfolk Members of Parliament.

Read the letter in full here.