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Councillor calls for action over emergency worker violence

A councillor is calling for a clamp down on violence against emergency service workers.

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Councillor Doug James

Councillor Doug James, for Darlaston South, said that along with a one-year prison sentence, offenders should be handed a 'financial penalty' with the funds going to emergency service staff charities.

He said: "Criminals who attack emergency service workers must receive a jail sentence. Its time to clamp down on mindless violence against brave staff.

"The increasing number of attacks on emergency staff including ambulance crews, fire teams, police and front line NHS staff is a scandal and a scourge in today's communities.

"All to often attackers get away with a slap on the wrist and a lenient suspended sentence. Physical assault is a daily threat for staff and must cause mental health stress which can lead to long term ill health.

"Ambulance and fire crew have been pelted with bricks, wooden spears, bottles ans other vicious items in incidents across the Black Country.

"There must be a zero tolerance policy towards the perpetrators of these vile actions. Violence against emergency workers is simply not acceptable.

"The one year sentence for those found guilty of attacks on emergency service workers should be accompanied with a hefty financial penalty too. The money going to emergency service staff charities."

The news comes after it was revealed almost 1,000 more West Midlands Police officers are to be trained to use tasers, which will more than triple the number of officers in the region armed with the electric guns.

Last month two officers were attacked by members of the public in two separate incidents in 24 hours in the Black Country.

And West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Johnson is pushing for all frontline police in the force to have access to tasers.

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