A PROPOSED law could see attacks on emergency workers punished with a year behind bars.

The bill, proposed by Labour MP Chris Bryant in July, will be debated in Westminster on Friday.

If passed, the law would extend the definition of emergency workers to cover those working on ambulances, in accident and emergency departments or urgent treatment centres.

The bill has been welcomed by government. Nick Hurd, the policing minister, told MPs that the government was “very supportive” of the principles behind the bill.

Last month, South Western Ambulance Service revealed that their staff had been on the receiving end of 161 assaults in 2016 – up a fifth compared to five years ago.

The type of injuries inflicted on ambulance staff ranged from cuts and bruises to dislocations and fractures.

David Partlow, consultant paramedic for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We take a zero tolerance approach to any form of physical or verbal abuse towards our staff, and all reports or violence and aggression are taken very seriously. We work closely with the police to seek prosecutions where possible.”

Currently, it is an offence to obstruct or hinder emergency workers who are responding to emergency circumstances. The maximum penalty under the 2006 law – called the Emergency Workers Obstruction Act – is a £5,000 fine.