The free library166 of 195 Justice & policing

Obstructing or hindering an emergency worker

s.1Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006

Without reasonable excuse, obstructing or hindering a firefighter, ambulance worker, coastguard or lifeboat crew member while they respond to an emergency.

Obstructing or hindering an emergency worker · Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006, s.1Card 166 / 195

Points to prove

Without reasonable excuse
Obstructed or hindered another person
Who was acting in a capacity listed in s.1(2)
While responding to emergency circumstances

Key definitions

Capacities – s.1(2): fire and rescue authority employees and others whose duties include fighting fires or protecting life and property in a fire; Ministry of Defence firefighters; NHS ambulance staff and people providing ambulance services for the NHS; people transporting organs, blood, equipment or staff for the NHS; HM Coastguard; and RNLI or other lifeboat crew, including those who launch or recover the boat.
Responding – s.1(3): going anywhere to deal with emergency circumstances, or dealing with them or preparing to.
Emergency circumstances – s.1(4): present or imminent circumstances causing or likely to cause serious injury or illness, serious harm to the environment, buildings or other property, or death. The worker only needs to believe, with reasonable grounds, that the circumstances are or may be an emergency (s.3(2)).
Obstructs or hinders – it need not be physical (s.3(1)(a)). It includes action aimed only at a vehicle, equipment or animal used by the worker (s.3(1)(b)), such as blocking a fire engine or tampering with a hose.

Good to know

Obstructing or hindering someone who is assisting one of these workers is a separate offence under s.2, with the same penalty.
Police officers are not covered. Use wilful obstruction under the Police Act 1996, s.89(2).
Summary only, so proceedings must start within 6 months of the offence.
Assaulting an emergency worker is charged under the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018, s.1.

Legislation: Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006, s.1 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Mode of trial: Summary only
Maximum penalty: A fine not exceeding level 5 (unlimited)
Last checked: 2 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Obstructing or hindering an emergency worker: questions people ask

What are the points to prove for obstructing or hindering an emergency worker?

1. Without reasonable excuse 2. Obstructed or hindered another person 3. Who was acting in a capacity listed in s.1(2) 4. While responding to emergency circumstances

What is the maximum sentence for obstructing or hindering an emergency worker?

A fine not exceeding level 5 (unlimited)

Is obstructing or hindering an emergency worker a summary, either-way or indictable offence?

Obstructing or hindering an emergency worker is a summary-only offence: it is tried in the magistrates’ court.

What Act and section is obstructing or hindering an emergency worker?

Obstructing or hindering an emergency worker is an offence under the Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006, s.1.

More offences against justice and the police

All offences against justice and the police