Steve Turner has welcomed a Bill which will see yobs who attack emergency services face twice as long behind bars.
The Conservative candidate for Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner praised the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill, introduced to Parliament on Tuesday which will double the maximum sentence for assaults on emergency workers.
The Bill will also introduce new serious violence reduction orders to allow stop and search of known offenders and changes to legislation that make it less likely for repeat offenders not to face mandatory sentences.
Meanwhile, new court orders will boost efforts to crack down on knife crime, as well as make it easier to stop and search those suspected of carrying a blade.
New laws will also enable police to better tackle unauthorised encampments, and safely manage protests where they threaten public order or stop people from getting on with their daily lives.
The Bill will also enshrine a Police Covenant in law, strengthening the support received by serving and retired officers, staff and their families. In addition, maximum penalties will be doubled from 12 months to 2 years for those who assault police or other emergency workers, such as prison officers, fire personnel or frontline health workers – helping to protect those who put their lives on the line to keep communities safe.
Steve Turner, Conservative candidate for Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "We have a duty to protect those whose duty it is to protect us.
"This Bill goes further than ever before to defend our brave officers who put themselves in danger to keep the rest of us safe.
"It gives our police the tools they need to stop violent criminals and put thugs who assault officers behind bars for longer.
"It will keep our streets safer by allowing the police to stop and search people with a history of carrying illegal knives and make it harder for judges to avoid imposing mandatory sentences for crimes like repeated knife offences.
"It also goes further to strengthen the support officers and their families receive.
"While we have seen a dramatic fall in standards under Labour's disastrous leadership of Cleveland Police, nationally the Conservatives are doing everything they can to support our police forces.
"I want to bring that same drive to Cleveland Police. Let's back our police, help them to cut crime and make our streets safer with a Conservative PCC. Let's not allow Labour to make a mess of it again.
"On May 6, the people of Teesside have the chance to turn the page - you have a choice: Law and order with the Conservatives or more scandal and chaos with Labour."
Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: "This government promised to crack down on crime and build safer communities - today we are delivering that promise.
"Thanks to this Bill, the police and courts will have the powers they need to keep our streets safe. And it protects our emergency services with the deterrent of much tougher sentences for anyone stupid enough to assault them."
Jacob Young, Conservative MP for Redcar, said: "I am delighted to see this Bill reach Parliament.
"Our emergency services deserve our protection. The violence our officers face everyday needs to be suppressed and, by doubling the maximum sentences for assaulting an officer, that's what this Bill will help to achieve."
Further changes will see tougher penalties for those who vandalise memorials, and a statutory duty placed on local authorities and criminal justice agencies to tackle serious violence through better sharing of data and intelligence.
The Bill will also end the halfway release of offenders sentenced to between four and seven years in prison for serious violent and sexual offences such as rape, manslaughter and GBH with intent.
Instead they will have to spend two-thirds of their time behind bars
