West Midlands Ambulance Service welcomes 'Harper's Law'

West Midlands Ambulance Service is welcoming an announcement from the Government today (24th November) that it intends to introduce tougher sentences for people who kill emergency service workers on duty.

Harper’s Law will see mandatory life sentences in future following the death of PC Andrew Harper in Berkshire in 2019. The officer was responding to reports of a burglary when he was dragged behind a getaway vehicle and died from his injuries.

The offenders all received manslaughter sentences which caused outrage from Harper's family, as well as the public. His widow, Lissie Harper, launched her campaign shortly afterwards warning many families were seeing loved ones putting their lives on the line every day.

WMAS Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “Our ambulance crews go above and beyond every single day, often in very difficult circumstances, but the appalling reality is that on average, at least one member of our staff is physical assaulted every single day and last year, two were stabbed.

“All too often our staff are left feeling let down by the justice system when people convicted of assaulting them receive disappointingly light sentences, so anything that provides our staff with more protection can only be a good thing.

“It is imperative that the wider judiciary 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 a death.

Body warn cameras and stab vests trial

Following funding from NHS England, the frontline staff at WMAS have started using body worn cameras since October. The cameras do not record all of the time but are switched on when staff become concerned for their safety.

The Trust is also undertaking a three-month trial of stab proof vests for staff The trial is taking place at Willenhall Hub with 22 volunteers taking part.

Willenhall-based paramedic Deena Evans was one of those stabbed last year and is taking part in the trial. She said: “It’s a shame it’s come to this, but I couldn’t be more relieved! I feel less anxious about working frontline shifts wearing it.”