Police called out to more than 700 assaults on emergency service workers across north-east

Police have been called to more than 700 assaults on emergency service workers in the north-east, new figures have revealed.

North-east MSP Douglas Lumsden described the figures as “appalling” and “sickening” and reiterated his party’s pledge to double the maximum prison sentence for criminals who assault emergency staff.

New information released by Police Scotland show 702 attacks on emergency personnel across the region in 2020/21.

Of these, 698 of those who committed the attacks were caught.

The number of assaults is a rise from the previous year when 635 occurred with 631 of these detected.

Commenting Douglas Lumsden said: “It’s appalling so many emergency services workers are assaulted while serving the people of the north-east of Scotland.

“The SNP’s soft-touch approach in effectively banning short-term prison sentences has meant heartless criminals who assault these key workers are dodging jail.

“The sickening individuals committing these attacks on our hard-working emergency services should feel the full force of the law which is why the Scottish Conservatives want to double the maximum sentence for assaulting emergency services workers.

“Many of these attacks across the north-east will have occurred when a police officer, paramedic or firefighter has arrived specifically to help the very people who end up assaulting them.

“The life of emergency workers shouldn’t be placed in jeopardy as they protect the public.

“These figures highlight the challenges Covid has presented for emergency workers and as callouts continue to rise over the festive period, it’s vital they have confidence in the full protection of the law.”