A WORCESTER man is one of the first people to be charged under a new law, which carries harsher penalties for attacking emergency service workers.

The 54-year-old man was arrested on Thursday for allegedly punching two police constables in the arm and jaw and resisting arrest, in Worcester.

John Campion, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the West Mercia area welcomed the charges.

He said: “No one should come to work expecting to be assaulted.

“The change in law, is something which I’ve long campaigned for, as part of my Behind the Badge and I’m pleased to see it being used to protect our hard working officers and staff.”

The Assault on Emergency Workers Act came into effect in November and gave courts the power to impose stronger sentences on people who commit certain crimes against paramedics, police officers and firefighters.

For example, the act doubled the maximum prison sentence for assaulting an emergency worker from six to 12 months.

PC Lloyd Stone, who was attacked while on duty in Bromsgrove, in August, told the Worcester News he supported the new penalties.

He added: “I think it's absolutely brilliant.

"When I come into work I want to go home, I don't want to be getting assaulted.

"I know the job comes with risk but the last thing I want is an injury from work, I've got a family.

"When I was assaulted it had a massive impact on me, with all the time off from work.

"We are not there to be against people, we are there to help them. How they think they have the right to assault us is ridiculous."

PC Stone said the new sentences will hopefully deter some people from assaulting emergency workers.