AQO 597/22-27

Mr Peter McReynolds
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 06/06/2024
Answered On Date: 17/06/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice whether her legislative plans will include protections for frontline transport workers.

Answer:

No-one should face mistreatment whilst doing their job and serving the public. Such attacks are wholly unacceptable and must not be tolerated.

A number of offences against the person already exist, with maximum sentences ranging from 6 months at the lower end of the scale up to a potential life sentence for the offence of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

These offences apply to all victims, regardless of their occupation. However, I have been shocked by reports of aggression being displayed against people who serve the public in a range of occupations, including transport workers.

To recognise this increased risk the Department’s proposed Sentencing Bill will include a new offence of assaulting a person who is providing a service to the public or performing a public duty.

The new offence will have an increased maximum sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment in the magistrates’ courts and a two year maximum if tried on indictment.

In more serious cases the fact that the victim was such a worker will become a statutory aggravating factor.