Thousands of attacks recorded on paramedics in 12 months as public told 'show respect to our staff'

Yahoo

27-04-2025

West Midlands Ambulance Service workers were attacked a shocking 3370 times in the last 12 months.
WMAS staff are subjected to incidents of physical, verbal abuse or aggression whilst doing their job every day.
Nationally, there was a 15 per cent jump with a record 22,536 cases recorded nationally across 14 ambulance services.
READ MORE: Gym-goers queuing at 'only working machine' slapped with parking warnings at Solihull leisure centre
READ MORE: Common drug taken by millions increases dementia risk 33 per cent, warns neurologist
Read More: Robber's 'three weeks of hell' in prison led to Birmingham rampage upon release
The statistic were released as WMAS launched a social media campaign - 'How We Treat Each Other Matters'- to encourage members of the public to be respectful to ambulance staff.
The Trust keen to reiterate it does not and will not tolerate abuse and violence directed towards our workforce, with legal action always being pursued.
Following the release of the worrying figures, Chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), Jason Killens, has written to ministers responsible for ambulance services in the UK to explore what can be done to combat the growing number of violent assaults.
Get the latest BirminghamLive news direct to your inbox
He said: 'These figures are truly shocking and reflect a pattern of increased violence, aggression and abuse directed at hard-working ambulance people who are there to help people in their times of greatest need.
"Frontline staff as well as call handlers are affected by this horrendous abuse and this unacceptable behaviour has a major long-term impact on the health and wellbeing of ambulance people who are simply trying to do their jobs and help save lives.
"This situation is now so serious that we are seeking to engage with UK health ministers at the highest level to explore new interventions that could help deter potential perpetrators of these attacks.
"We would also underline again that it is vital that the judiciary uses all available legislation to ensure appropriate sentences are handed out consistently to those found guilty of committing these horrific crimes against our workforce."
Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Marsh, said: 'For many staff, this sort of abuse can have a profound impact on their lives with some staff never recovering and actually leaving the service altogether.
"While it is a minority of people who commit these offences, we need the public to support us to make such abuse something that is unacceptable.'
WMAS Head of Security and Safety, Dan Knight, said: 'Everyone deserves to come to work without fear of abuse, aggression or violence from the public. Whether that be our staff on the frontline, Patient Transport Services staff or those who work in our control rooms.
'The message is simple, abuse will not be tolerated and appropriate actions will be taken when these incidents occur. 3370 incidents of abuse and violence is 3370 too many.
"We hope with the launch of this campaign, it will be an important reminder to the public that showing respect to our staff, who are ultimately only trying to help people, should be a given."