The MP for Broadland has said he supports a high profile call for people who attack emergency services to be jailed for up to five years.
Keith Simpson has backed the call by Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green, who has written to all Norfolk MPs asking them to support the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill which proposes to increase sentencing for such crimes from six months to one year.
Mr Green has then gone on to ask the MPs if they would then consider increasing sentences to up to five years when the bill is debated in April.
Mr Simpson said he was in 'favour' of the call.
He said: 'It sends out a strong message to people that if you do this it has very real consequences.
'It also shows we (MPs) are on the side of the emergency services.'
As well as assaults on 999 staff Mr Simpson also said there was a problem with spoof emergency calls and people abusing staff.
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