Shocking new statistics released by Police Scotland show that more than a dozen of our brave emergency service workers in the North East are being attacked every week. 

These figures are sickening and show once again that the consequences for those who carry out these despicable attacks are not tough enough: we need to make it absolutely clear to those who carry out these heartless attacks that they will not be tolerated. You can read more of my comments in the Evening Express.

No one should face the prospect of being attacked at work and last week I asked the Minister for Community Safety whether she has considered any of the package of measures I called for back in 2018 to protect emergency services workers. 

Two years ago, I visited Dundee fire control room on Bonfire Night, which is always a challenging time for emergency service workers and backed the ‘Do Not Attack Me’ campaign reflecting the physical and verbal abuse experienced by frontline workers.

I also asked the Minister for an update on the effectiveness of this campaign and the resources that will be allocated to its successor. You can view my remarks here.