Obstructing emergency workers
Obstructing emergency workers
The Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006 came into force on 20 February 2007. This act creates an offence of obstructing or hindering:
- firefighters
- ambulance workers
- people transporting blood, organs or equipment on behalf of the NHS
- coastguards and lifeboat crews
while responding to a call for help.
Anyone who obstructs or hinders emergency workers is liable to be arrested without warrant and face a fine of up to £5,000. Police and Prison Officers are protected by separate legislation.