Almost 40 yobs a week avoid jail despite repeat attacks on emergency workers

Some offenders are in the dock for the second, third or even fourth time for assaulting emergency service workers - yet still manage to swerve jail terms.

Statistics show almost 40 offenders keep their liberty each week despite being prosecuted for a repeat attack on staff.

Sarah Morgan got a suspended sentence for assaulting two female PCs in January, after punching them in the face during a drunken disturbance at a Leicester home.

The court heard Morgan had two previous convictions for attacking emergency workers receiving a non-custodial sentence both times.

The Assaults on Emergency Workers Bill came into effect in 2018 amid hopes it would provide added protection to frontline staff in the police, prison, fire and health services.

But figures show almost four in five offenders escaped with a non-custodial sentence.

The Act was brought in after MPs were appalled at stories of how 999 workers were routinely subjected to violence and aggression while carrying out their duties.

The legislation brought in powers that were increased in 2022, in line with a Conservative manifesto pledge, so offenders could be jailed for up to two years.

But Ministry of Justice figures show even the small proportion jailed get on average a term of just over three months.

The sentencing statistics revealed in 2023 - the most recently available figures - there were 16,526 people found guilty of which only 23% - 3,736 - were jailed.

But it is the repeat offenders who still manage to avoid time in prison that will cause the most concern.

Hidden in the annual figures of people not sent to jail were 1,456 who already had one previous offence on their record for attacking a 999 worker.

Another 364 offenders who avoided jail had two previous offences for assaulting emergency workers.

And 202 of those had managed to notch up three or more crimes in their past for attacks on 999 staff. The total number of repeat offenders not jailed during the year was 2,022 - more than three times the number of those with previous convictions for the crime not jailed in 2020.

The statistics showed the most common punishment option for the courts saw around a third of offenders given a community sentence which involved doing unpaid work such as clearing litter, painting park benches or removing graffiti.

For those fined, the average penalty was just £280, while those ordered to pay compensation to their emergency service victims were being made to fork out an average of just over £100. The MoJ data has shocked retired Detective Chief Superintendent Kevin Moore.

The former head of CID at Sussex Police, said: "Frankly, these figures sicken me.

"The reason legislation was brought in to deal specifically with assaults on emergency service workers was to highlight the fact those workers sadly face potential violence every day of their working lives.

"Therefore, it was deemed necessary to create a specific offence together with increased sentencing powers to represent the seriousness of such offending.

"The fact that courts are failing to implement those sentences is a disgrace.

"It demonstrates to me the fact little value is placed on such workers and the contributions they make."

Last night, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Our hardworking emergency workers play a vital role in keeping the public safe.

"While sentencing is a matter for independent judges, those who assault emergency workers can be sentenced to up to two years in prison."

"The Lord Chancellor has also launched an independent Sentencing Review which will specifically consider sentencing for prolific offenders."

"Absolutely unacceptable" is how a police union boss described the number of attacks on emergency workers.

Tiff Lynch, pictured above, acting national chair at the Police Federation said: "We are witnessing daily more than 125 recorded cases of assaults in England and Wales. Our officers put themselves forward to do one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, but they certainly do not sign up to be attacked for protecting the communities they serve.

"We expect individuals involved in attacks to face the full force of the law. Weak and low rates of sentencing emboldens these criminal elements while heightening the risk officers face."