Legal protection for emergency workers

Measures have come into force to protect Scottish emergency workers from the threat of assault.

The Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 makes it a specific offence to assault, obstruct or hinder someone providing an emergency service or assisting an emergency worker in an emergency situation.

The offence will carry a maximum penalty of nine months in jail, a £5,000 fine or both. More serious assaults will continue to be prosecuted under common law.

UNISON public services union, which had campaigned hard for the new law, welcomed its introduction.