Close to 1900 Victorian police, paramedics and firefighters assaulted each year

Police, paramedics and firefighters are allegedly being assaulted in growing numbers in Victoria with a disturbing number of attacks by children aged under 14.

Close to 1900 assaults are recorded against emergency workers annually. Picture: David Caird

Up to 40 emergency workers are allegedly being attacked every week as the police union warns assailants targeting officers are using loopholes to escape jail time.

The Herald Sun can reveal alleged assaults committed against police, emergency service workers and authorised officers have risen by 10 per cent since March last year.

A total of 18,735 alleged assaults have been reported over the past decade, with an average of 1875 offences recorded each year since April 2013.

But 2027 alleged assaults were reported between April 2022 and March this year.

Assaults against emergency workers have risen by 10 per cent. Picture: David Crosling

Police Association of Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said members were far too often victims of violence while trying to protect the community.

“The simple fact is that we, and the community, don’t see mandatory minimums being applied with the regularity they should be and that sends a poor message that our members are fair game,” he said.

Current laws state courts must impose a minimum sentence for offences such as serious assaults and assaults against emergency workers on duty.

A 2022 review of Emergency Worker Harm laws found most offenders received a jail term equal to or longer than the statutory six-month minimum.

Changes to the law in 2020 limited excuses alleged offenders could use in court to escape jail, such as mental impairment from using alcohol or drugs.

“Every time a loophole is used to overcome this legislation and avoid handing down a prison sentence to someone who assaults a police officer, PSO or emergency services worker, it erodes the safety of our members and the respect for the dangerous work they do,” Mr Gatt said.

There has been a sharp rise in young people assaulting emergency workers. Picture: Supplied

The number of youths between 10 and 14 who reportedly assaulted emergency work­ers has jumped by more than 55 per cent in the past year.

Last year, 208 youths between 15 and 17 were charged with the offence.

This year, that figure sits at 249 alleged offenders.

The figures come as the Andrews government is set to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 within the next year, then to 14 by 2027.

The City of Melbourne recorded 208 alleged assaults, the highest of any local government area in Victoria.

Geelong recorded 92 cases, while Brimbank and Casey recorded 71 and 70.

Mr Gatt said the figures showed a “vast increase” in the rate of assaults by children.

“That is an issue the government will have to grapple with as it transitions to raising the age of criminal responsibility to 12 and, later, 14,” he said.

Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said violence was one of paramedics’ biggest fears.

“They regularly go to scenes where they’re afraid to walk in, but they’ve got to balance that with the fear of what happens if they don’t go in,” he said.

“Anytime you put your hands on a paramedic or you’re being aggressive towards them, they’re going to walk away from that scenario, and you are delaying care for your family member or your loved one.

“They can’t do their job while they’re fearing for their own safety.”

A state government spokeswoman said there was “zero tolerance” for violence against police and emergency service workers, but sentencing for assaults remained a court matter.

“Police officers and emergency services workers have a right to be treated with respect at work and to go home safely,” she said.