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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| New £5,000 fine for 999 attackers | New £5,000 fine for 999 attackers |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Emergency crews in England and Wales will win more protection against attack if a Welsh MP's bill becomes law. | Emergency crews in England and Wales will win more protection against attack if a Welsh MP's bill becomes law. |
| The Emergency Workers Obstruction Bill could be on the statute book by the end of the month and allow fines of £5,000. | |
| However, unlike Scotland, it will not give courts the option of a jail term. | However, unlike Scotland, it will not give courts the option of a jail term. |
| The private members bill was introduced by Swansea West MP Alan Williams, and creates a new offence of obstructing or hindering police officers, firefighters and paramedics. | The private members bill was introduced by Swansea West MP Alan Williams, and creates a new offence of obstructing or hindering police officers, firefighters and paramedics. |
| They have come across cases with razor blades actually fixed underneath the banisters so that the fireman hauling equipment up the stairs would do their hands enormous damage Alan Williams, MP | They have come across cases with razor blades actually fixed underneath the banisters so that the fireman hauling equipment up the stairs would do their hands enormous damage Alan Williams, MP |
| There will also be an offence of obstructing or hindering prison officers, coastguards, lifeboat crews, doctors, nurses, midwives, social workers if they are performing emergency duties. | There will also be an offence of obstructing or hindering prison officers, coastguards, lifeboat crews, doctors, nurses, midwives, social workers if they are performing emergency duties. |
| Mr Williams was initially approached by the Police Federation which was concerned for the safety of other services. | Mr Williams was initially approached by the Police Federation which was concerned for the safety of other services. |
| Mr Williams said: "They have come across cases with razor blades actually fixed underneath the banisters so that the fireman hauling equipment up the stairs would do their hands enormous damage. | Mr Williams said: "They have come across cases with razor blades actually fixed underneath the banisters so that the fireman hauling equipment up the stairs would do their hands enormous damage. |
| "There was another case where live electric cables were fixed to the inside of doorknobs," Mr Williams added. | "There was another case where live electric cables were fixed to the inside of doorknobs," Mr Williams added. |
| 'He punched me' | 'He punched me' |
| Emergency service workers in Wales have called for greater legal protection against increased attacks while answering calls. | Emergency service workers in Wales have called for greater legal protection against increased attacks while answering calls. |
| The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is included in Mr Williams' bill, and Chris Missen, a member of the Porthcawl lifeboat crew, said he suffered abuse on his first call-out to rescue a man. | The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is included in Mr Williams' bill, and Chris Missen, a member of the Porthcawl lifeboat crew, said he suffered abuse on his first call-out to rescue a man. |
| He said: "We arrived on the scene to find him in a very drunk state. I entered the water to go and persuade him to walk ashore. | He said: "We arrived on the scene to find him in a very drunk state. I entered the water to go and persuade him to walk ashore. |
| "As soon as I got within close proximity to him he punched me - it was followed by another punch. | "As soon as I got within close proximity to him he punched me - it was followed by another punch. |
| "At this point I realised I had to do something, obviously being very restricted I tried to restrain him and then I waited for the coastguard units to come and help out," he added. | "At this point I realised I had to do something, obviously being very restricted I tried to restrain him and then I waited for the coastguard units to come and help out," he added. |
| If there are no amendments, the bill will become an act and Mr Williams hopes it will be made law by 29 or 30 October. | If there are no amendments, the bill will become an act and Mr Williams hopes it will be made law by 29 or 30 October. |
| "I will be delighted to have it on the statute book and so will the emergency services," he said. | "I will be delighted to have it on the statute book and so will the emergency services," he said. |
| The maximum penalty for offences would be a £5,000 fine, but no prison term. | The maximum penalty for offences would be a £5,000 fine, but no prison term. |
| In May 2005, the Scottish Parliament brought in laws to make assaulting a member of the emergency services a specific offence. | In May 2005, the Scottish Parliament brought in laws to make assaulting a member of the emergency services a specific offence. |
| Offenders in Scotland face up to nine months in prison or a £5,000 fine. | Offenders in Scotland face up to nine months in prison or a £5,000 fine. |