Asked by: Lord Clark of Windermere (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many individuals have been charged with offences under the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018; and how many of those incidents occurred in connection with the provision of services by the NHS.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Home Office does not hold information on the number of individuals charged under The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act, which came into effect on 13 November 2018. However, police forces in England and Wales provide the Home Office with data on the number of offences recorded of Assault or assault by beating of a constable or emergency worker that resulted in a charge.
Between 13 November 2018 to 31 December 2018, there were 947 offences recorded under the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 that resulted in a charge. However, this provides an incomplete count of all individuals charged under this Act because some offences will result in more than one offender being charged and more serious incidents may result in a higher charge such as Grievous Bodily Harm.
The Home Office does not hold data on whether or not the incident occurred in connection with the services provided by the NHS.