To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department is taking to improve the protection of firemen in Lancashire from (a) physical and (b) verbal attacks when at work. (125749)

The Department has published on its website good practice guidance on tackling violence at work.

On 20 February 2007, the Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006 came into force. This Act, which specifically includes firefighters, makes it an offence to obstruct or hinder an emergency worker responding to emergency circumstances, punishable by fines of up to £5,000.