The Government is proposing new offences to ensure those who assault on-duty first responders or prison officers spend longer in prison

Under the changes, such an assault would carry a maximum sentence of three years jail; an assault with intent to injure: five years.

Injuring a first responder or prison officer with intent to injure would carry a maximum sentence of seven years, and be added to the Three Strikes regime.

Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith says such assaults put multiple lives at risk, so there must be greater consequences for theseacts of violence.