View from the house: I support ‘Protect the Protectors’ bill
PUBLISHED: 08:00 28 October 2017
Lyn Brown
Being the shadow minister for police and fire services was the highlight of my parliamentary career so far.
I met truly dedicated and amazing people, many of whom are real heroes.
Their bravery and commitment to the public good is plain to see, following the dreadful spate of terror attacks this year and the horrific Grenfell Tower fire: workers risking their lives to save the lives of others.
That’s why I supported MP Chris Bryant’s bill to “Protect the Protectors,” ensuring that those who menace or attack our firefighters, nurses and police officers receive appropriate sentences to deter their appalling crimes.
Attacks on emergency workers keep increasing.
Our emergency workers shouldn’t have to expect such abuse in the course of their duties. Nor is work-related violence the only threat to their wellbeing. Time and again, I hear first hand of the stress caused by demands to do more with less. Recently, a West Ham officer’s wife told me he faces a repetitive scenario of working late, without lunch breaks; being short staffed, leaving him exhausted, and working against the odds to safeguard us, his colleagues and himself.
Our police have more crimes to solve, with fewer officers. Our NHS has to treat more patients, without the right funding.
Theresa May should stop pretending everything is fine and start funding our public services properly.
Only when they’re given the support, time and resources they need, will emergency services’ staff receive the dignity and respect we owe them. More from Lyn
