Emergency Workers (Protection) Bill

Officials at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are working with the Association of Chief Police Officers to support the development of a memorandum of understanding between the fire and rescue services and ACPO, in order to develop a better working relationship between the two services, thereby leading to the more effective pursuit of prosecutions against those who would obstruct or assault firefighters. Such discussions are under way, so as well as improved reporting and the collecting of evidence through, for example, installing videos in cabs, ACPO and the fire and rescue services are working together on that memorandum of understanding. In addition, the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association has set up a ““task and finish”” group—the language used in such services sometimes differs from that used by others—which is being led by assistant chief fire officer Alan Richardson of the South Wales fire and rescue service. The group’s task is to look at all matters relating to assaults on firefighters, with a view to making recommendations and promulgating best practice; it will report in April. Such measures and the better co-ordination of police and fire services will play a very important role in increasing the number of prosecutions and in improving the safety of our fire services. Returning to young people and the respect agenda, we need to recognise that although young people can be responsible for thoughtless behaviour and do not always consider the consequences of their actions, they might not be able to pay a fine, which is the proposed penalty in such circumstances. I assure the House that we will also consider greater use of the early interventions now available to us, such as acceptable behaviour contracts and, where appropriate, parenting contracts and orders. A parenting order is available when, for example, a conviction has been secured in a court. So if one secures a conviction for obstruction in respect of a minor, who might not be able to pay a fine, one could attach to that a parenting order as part of the sentence. We are also willing to use antisocial behaviour orders for all age groups to stop antisocial and potentially dangerous behaviour before it escalates. We will work to ensure that those measures are used consistently, so that we send a clear message about the serious nature of such behaviour when aimed at emergency workers. My hon. Friend the Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) described estates in her constituency where a culture had developed of entrapping and targeting firefighters. ASBOs and other orders can be more effective in areas where such a culture has developed to nip such behaviour in the bud and prevent inappropriate obstruction of the work of the emergency services from escalating into violence and assault. We also need to encourage the courts to make greater use of community penalties where appropriate. For example, young people involved in incidents against members of the fire and rescue service might be required to become involved in the brigade’s youth schemes, as hon. Members have mentioned. The Government encourage effective local partnerships of that sort, which can enable requirements of community sentences to be carried out by children and young people. There are a number of excellent schemes involving fire services across England and Wales, the aim of which is to help young offenders to understand the harm they have caused. There are similar schemes involving health workers. Workers in those services can be the most powerful advocates, because they can describe the possible consequences of that antisocial behaviour much more impressively and with greater intensity than a more formal court process. We need to make the most of that when tackling this issue in relation to young people. We also need to ensure that local youth offending teams, as well as fire brigades and health services, are aware of the good practices that have worked well in other areas. Expertise that has been built up around the country must be shared to encourage the adoption and adaptation of good practices in whatever way is best for an area. We also need to encourage the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to adopt a more active policy on investigating and prosecuting incidents. Many hon. Members have pointed out that the health service has already made significant progress in that area and shown what can be done, especially with regard to incidents occurring within the hospital setting. However, with the emergency services, such offences can happen anywhere, and that can pose greater challenges. Nevertheless, placing our focus on the issue can produce significant results. I am glad that the health service and the fire and rescue service are looking at options, too. I assure the House that I will actively encourage the emerging agreements and do whatever else I can to ensure that the CPS and the courts are aware of how dangerous incidents that involve the emergency services can be. As I have said, strong guidelines have been issued by the Sentencing Guidelines Council to ensure that the fact that a victim of an assault was serving the public at the time is regarded as a substantial aggravating factor.