By Tim Pauling
Aberdeen Press and Journal
New laws have failed to prevent attacks on emergency workers in the north-east.
Figures obtained by Labour show an increase in the number of charges brought under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act last year.
Under the law it is illegal to obstruct certain professionals - police officers, firefighters, ambulance workers, coastguards, doctors, midwives, social workers and mental health officers - dealing with an emergency situation, in hospital premises or in the line of duty.
Solicitor General Frank Mulholland revealed in a parliamentary answer that 30 charges were brought by procurators fiscal from Banff in the north to Dundee in the south in 2006-07. The figure fell to 24 the next year before climbing to 34 in 2008-09.
North-east Labour MSP Richard Baker said it was extremely concerning to see the number of attacks increase in the region.
“Our emergency workers do a fantastic job and it is appalling anyone would attack the very people trying to help them,” he said.
“It is also disappointing to see an increase in the number of attacks despite new laws being passed in the last parliament for the protection of emergency workers.
“It is absolutely vital our local emergency services do as much as they can to ensure their staff are protected from assault and that our courts give tough sentences to those convicted of these crimes.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We condemn all attacks on emergency services and support all moves by police forces to clamp down on them.”
Copyright 2010 Aberdeen Journals Ltd