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<p>The Government is committed to ensuring that emergency workers on the front line
have the full protection of the law.</p><p> </p><p>Evidence obtained from body worn
video footage is admissible in court and, where available, can be used to support
the prosecution’s case during trial.</p><p> </p><p>If a defendant enters a guilty
plea, the prosecution can invite the court to view footage taken from a body worn
camera, alongside any victim impact statements, before sentencing. The court would
have full discretion in determining whether to accept or reject the request.</p><p>
</p><p>The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 doubled the maximum penalty
for those who assault emergency workers from six to 12 months in prison. Under the
Act a court must also consider, for a range of offences, the fact that the offence
was committed against an emergency worker as an aggravating factor meriting a more
severe sentence.</p>
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