Express & Star comment: Emergency staff need protection
As a rule people from all walks of life should be treated the same under the law.
Special treatment based on a person's profession, background, or gender is a formula for a divisive society – and often can lead to the opposite of what is intended.
However, in recent months it has increasingly become clear that there is a group of people who require a greater level of protection – the emergency services.
Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics have all been attacked whilst trying to do their vital work.
This is an outrage and a national disgrace.
You only have to read the experience of Adam Aston on this page to realise that something has to be done.
You can't read the following words and not be horrified: "Verbal abuse happens quite regularly to all emergency services workers. Physical assaults are on the rise.
“It is demoralising. You join the emergency services to help people. It is really demoralising when we face abuse, particularly physical attacks.
“I know colleagues who have had their noses broken in the back of an ambulance."
We can't allow this thuggery to continue.
No paramedic, police officer, or firefighter should have to put up with people spitting at them, assaulting them, or verbally abusing them.
These men and women save people's lives.
Their work is critical to society.
So that's why we must protect them.
It speaks volumes about modern day society that we have to legislate against people abusing these courageous public servants.
And it is a shame we have to resort to this measure.
But if that is the action that is required then so be it.
Labour MP Chris Bryant must be applauded for his private members' bill on this very subject.
He has put the issue firmly on the national agenda.
Those who cowardly and recklessly try to attack a member of the emergency services whilst they are on the job should face the full fist of the law.
But we still do not understand why these disgusting acts are taking place. Why would someone wish harm on a police officer, firefighter or a paramedic?
And why is it on the rise?
Passing new laws to protect our emergency services is the right thing to do – but that may not put a stop to the abuse.
