Paramedics in Greater Manchester are being assaulted almost every day, shocking figures have revealed.
Data shows there have been more than 1,000 verbal and physical attacks on North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) staff in the region since April 2012.
It means that paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), urgent care assistants, and even call handlers are being subjected to violent and threatening behaviour on an almost daily basis.
Some have been left with broken bones, cuts, bruises, needle wounds and even bites as a result of assaults which have taken place in public places, hospitals, private residences and care homes.
There were more than two dozen incidents where staff were racially abused or sexually assaulted.
In some cases, offenders have been prosecuted and put behind bars for the attacks.
According to the data, obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the M.E.N, a person was sentenced to 16 weeks in jail by magistrates in Manchester for biting a student paramedic inside an emergency vehicle in March 2015.
In September 2013, two female EMTs were attacked in a private dwelling, resulting in broken bones. The offender was locked up for a total of 19 months.
A person who stuck a needle into a paramedic in a public place in March 2014 received a community order and was forced to pay their victim compensation.
The figures also show that some staff have been threatened with weapons including knives.
Ambulance crews danger addresses almost triple in two years
A spokesman for NWAS said it’s disgraceful that people who are working to save lives are subjected to such unprovoked abuse.
He said: “The trust takes a zero tolerance approach to any form of abuse and we will always support our staff to report any violence or aggression towards them and encourage them to press charges to ensure appropriate action is taken against the perpetrator.
“Attacks on our crews can have a major effect, not only on the trust’s resources, but in the long term, as it can impact on their personal and professional life and even play a part in them considering leaving the job and this is the last thing we would want.
Life-saving role
“Attacks can come from patients, their family and friends and even those who are not directly involved in the incidents our staff are called to attend. Every member of staff plays a vital role in serving communities by helping to deliver the highest standards of care and staff should be able to fulfill their life-saving role without abuse or fear.
“Those who commit these acts should ask themselves – if their parent, grandparent or child was waiting too long for an ambulance because an assault has taken a vehicle off the road, would they find that acceptable?”
Last week a drunken woman who kicked a paramedic in the face then urinated in an ambulance was banned from leaving the house at night by magistrates.
Sarah Bradley, 29, also shoulder-barged another crew member out of the vehicle during the incident in Rochdale.
