Emergency workers to be better protected from racial abuse

Emergency workers, including police, are set to be better protected from racial abuse as part of the Crime and Policing Bill.

There is currently a loophole that allows people to get away with racial and religious abuse towards public sector workers, such as police, fire and ambulance workers, who are making house calls.

It is currently illegal to racially or religiously abuse anyone in public, but this does not extend to behaviour within a private home.

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said: "Our emergency workers put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep us safe and they should never have to tolerate abuse due to their race or religion while simply doing their job. 

"As part of our Plan for Change, this government is rebuilding the bond between the public and police, and part of that means ensuring our officers have the protections they deserve.  

"By closing this loophole, we’re sending a clear message that racial and religious abuse directed towards those who serve our communities will not be tolerated.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said: "Our emergency workers carry out lifesaving work every day and deserve to feel safe from violence or intimidation.

"Anyone who violates this core principle brings shame on themselves and will feel the full force of the law, wherever they are.

"I will not stand any health worker being subjected to abuse and take a zero-tolerance approach, and these new measures will crack down on perpetrators."