Crooks who ram police cars to get up to 20 years’ jail in State Government crackdown

CRIMINALS who ram police cars will face up to 20 years’ jail in a new crackdown. It follows a spate of frightening attacks against the force.

CRIMINALS who ram police cars will face up to 20 years in jail in response to a spate of frightening attacks.

Those who endanger officers by crashing into vehicles as they flee will automatically be jailed as part of the crackdown.

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Crooks linked to indictable offences, such as aggravated burglary and drug trafficking, will get the same treatment.

The new laws — to be announced today — will apply irrespective of whether an officer is injured.

They will cover all emergency services workers, custody officers and youth justice staff.

Police Minister Lisa Neville told the Herald Sun: “Anyone who uses their vehicle as a weapon against our police officers deserves to be locked up — and that’s exactly what these tough new laws will deliver.

“Emergency service workers spend their lives keeping people safe. These new jail terms send a clear message to those who deliberately harm our frontline workers — this violence and damage will not be tolerated.”

The new offence of intentionally exposing an emergency worker to risk by driving will carry a maximum 20-year jail term.

Those who recklessly cause the risk will face a maximum 10 years’ imprisonment.

There has been a spate of rammings on police cars in the past year. Picture: Nicole Garmston

There will be aggravating versions of the offences — meaning mandatory jail time if either offence is committed in certain serious circumstances such as where the vehicle is stolen, where the offender has damaged the emergency services vehicle or where the offence occurred in connection with another indictable offence.

Sentences will be cumulative to any other sentences served.

A two-year minimum jail term will apply if a police officer is intentionally injured.

There will be a presumption against bail.

A maximum five years’ jail will apply for damaging an emergency service vehicle.

Between January and September 104 police vehicles were rammed compared with 190 for all of last year and just 44 in 2015.

Police on foot have also been targeted.

Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt, whose organisation has long campaigned for greater protection for officers, backed the new laws but said it was vital the courts followed through.

“We believe this new legislation not only acts to properly punish those who drive at, or into our members, but also serves as a firm deterrent to those who think ramming police is a viable method of escaping arrest in the future,’’ Mr Gatt said.

“Importantly, under these laws, rammers should go in the slammer.

“We now need the courts to buy-in on this as well.”

Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt has backed the new laws. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp said: “The deliberate ramming of police vehicles is wrong and just plain dangerous.”

“This criminal behaviour shows no regard for authority and the consequences can be deadly,’’ he said.

Opposition police spokesman Edward O’Donohue in June flagged a new offence of ramming a police vehicle carrying a minimum penalty of two years’ jail and maximum of 10 years.

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