News In Focus
9 May 2005
New law to protect emergency workers
New legislation comes into force today to protect emergency services from the threat of assault.
The Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act makes it a specific offence to assault, obstruct or hinder someone providing an emergency service.
Police, fire and ambulance workers and medical staff in hospitals are covered whenever they are on duty, as well as when they are dealing with emergencies.
The maximum penalty under the act is nine months in jail, a fine of £5,000 or both. More serious assaults will continue to be prosecuted under common law.