More than 130 attacks on ambulance staff over 6-month period

[dutchman]

Ambulance staff have been threatened with knives, punched and spat at in a catalogue of violence over the last six months.



New figures from the West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) show that there were 139 physical assaults on frontline staff between April and September this year - a rise of almost 30 per cent.

Statistics show that in Coventry and Warwickshire , the number of attacks was up to 26 from 21 in the same period in 2014.

The number of verbal assaults across the region rose by 13 per cent to 246 incidents reported - while in Coventry and Warwickshire the numbers dropped from 26 to 25.

The figures were revealed at the trust’s latest board meeting, where it was also noted that some staff do not report cases of violence as they do not believe that enough action will be taken against the culprit.

Andy Allsopp, a paramedic based in Warwick, was attacked while on duty with a female colleague.

Recalling the incident, he said: “He pushed me back towards the ambulance. It was quite frightening.

“He had two of his friends behind him so we were outnumbered three to two.

“He hit me on my chest because I managed to move out of the way – and three times. It’s at that point, where things start to get a little bit out of hand like that, that you need to think about pushing your emergency button on your radio.

“I gave a signal to my colleague and we pushed the button. The police were then with us in minutes.”

Andy added: “I know I’m a big lad and I’m a strong person, but I haven’t been back to the car park where the incident happened. I try and avoid it.

“We hear about it so much more often now that staff are becoming physically and emotionally abused, that it really is time to stop it.”

Based on the appalling statistics, WMAS’s chief executive Anthony Marsh is to write to the chairmen of magistrates benches across the region asking them to take the toughest possible action against those who assault ambulance staff.

Mr Marsh said: “It is quite outrageous that our staff are having to put up with such violence.

“The board is determined that we should do everything possible to protect our staff.

“We are asking them to support us by taking the toughest possible action against people who assault staff.

“We know the public abhor this violence so we are hopeful that they will support this move.”

Regional security manager Steve Elliker said: “The penalties handed down are simply not sufficient to deter people currently.

“We need sentences to be a deterrent so that people think twice before they attack our staff.

“The fact that some of our staff do not report cases of violence because they do not believe that enough action will be taken against the perpetrator is a sad reflection on how they feel.

“We are working hard to change that perception but we want the courts to support us 100 per cent so that this dreadful situation can be changed for the better.”

[rebbonk]

Scandalous!

These people save lives, the mentality of people attacking them is beyond belief.

[dutchman]

CCTV for West Midlands ambulances after rise in staff attacks



CCTV cameras are to be installed on the majority of West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) vehicles to try to reduce abuse against paramedics.

In November, the service said physical assaults had risen by 30%, with 108 attacks between April and September 2014, to 139 in 2015.

The assaults included staff being kicked, punched and threatened with knives.

Now, if an attack is reported, footage can be accessed and assessed.

Steve Elliker, regional security manager for WMAS, said the number of staff being attacked, verbally abused or threatened while doing their job was a "great concern".

Chief Executive Anthony Marsh has said he would be writing to magistrates calling for stronger deterrents because it was "outrageous" paramedics had to put up with such violence.