Parliament has approved a number of amendments that are aimed at increasing the punishments for people who threaten or attack members of the disciplinary corps.

The government had proposed amendments to the Criminal Code which will see criminal sentences for attacks on police officers and other members of disciplined forces upped.

The legal amendments to the Criminal Code came after two police officers were assaulted in an incident in Hamrun. Under the legal changes, among other things, the options of a suspended sentence or a conditional discharge are no longer available for these crimes.

Under the proposed changes, those who should threaten, offend, or injure a public official or member of the disciplined forces will face a minimum fine of €1,200, up from €800, with the maximum fine also rising from €5,000 to €7,500.

Furthermore, should a weapon be used in the attack or violent resistance, the incarceration penalty will increase from the minimum of a year to a year and a half to a maximum rising from four years to six years whilst the fine will increase from its minimum of €8,000 to €12,000 and the maximum rising from €20,000 to €30,000.

When the attack or violent resistance is done by a person or two people, the incarceration penalty will increase to a maximum of four years whilst the fine will increase to a €15,000 maximum.

However, when the attack or violent resistance is done by three people or more, the incarceration penalty will increase to a maximum of six years whilst the fine will increase to a maximum of €22,500.

Should these offences include public violence, the imprisonment penalty will increase to a maximum of seven years with the introduction of a fine of a maximum of €25,000.

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri in a short video statement said that the amendments will not only increase deterrents and fines, but said that even if these types of incidents reduced in recent years, it is sending the message that even one case is too much.