News Events Publications Media Donate Home Our service Get involved About us Join our team Contact us Home > News > Announcements > Harper’s Law welcomed Harper’s Law welcomed Posted 24th November 2021 Share this page Managing Director of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) Martin Flaherty OBE QAM said: “The introduction of Harper’s Law to the statute book will be rightly welcomed by the entire ambulance sector and we hope it represents a further deterrent to the small minority of people who would cause harm to our staff, as they undertake their daily roles caring for people and saving lives. “We now call upon the wider judiciary to be more consistent in applying tougher sentences to perpetrators who are convicted of any form of violence, aggression or abuse towards our staff, not just those that result in manslaughter or murder. “Violence or aggression towards anyone is unacceptable, but emergency services workers need particular additional protection due to the nature of their work on the frontline, sometimes responding in unpredictable, stressful and dangerous circumstances. Managing Director of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) Martin Flaherty OBE QAM said: “The introduction of Harper’s Law to the statute book will be rightly welcomed by the entire ambulance sector and we hope it represents a further deterrent to the small minority of people who would cause harm to our staff, as they undertake their daily roles caring for people and saving lives. “We now call upon the wider judiciary to be more consistent in applying tougher sentences to perpetrators who are convicted of any form of violence, aggression or abuse towards our staff, not just those that result in manslaughter or murder. “Violence and aggression towards anyone is unacceptable, but emergency services workers need particular additional protection due to the nature of their work on the frontline, sometimes responding in unpredictable, stressful and dangerous circumstances. “The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 introduced a statutory aggravating factor which means judges must also consider tougher sentences for offences such as manslaughter, GBH or sexual assault if the victim was an emergency worker and we would like to see the judiciary apply these tougher sentences more often and more consistently, in support of the new Harper’s Law.” Archive 2021 2020 2019 2018 Contact us General enquiries 0345 112 0999 These numbers should NOT be used to contact us in an emergency. In an emergency dial 999 immediately or for non-urgent medical advice call NHS 111. How to find us Directions to our offices Help Privacy policy Freedom of Information Contact us Green Room © Copyright 2021 North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust . Lovingly crafted by Mixd