Abuse of South Western Ambulance staff sees big rise since lockdown
They have branded the new statistics as "unacceptable"
South Western Ambulance Service workers have seen a 33% increase in violent and aggressive behaviour towards them since the first lockdown last March.
They reported 1,747 incidents from 24th March 2020 to the 23rd March 2021, over a third more than the previous 12 months.
These include 515 verbal abuse incidents, 447 aggressive behaviour and 322 physical assaults.
Paramedics have been kicked, punched, pushed and spat during the last year.
This includes newly qualified Paramedics Dan Williams and Kyiah Ellis who were shouted at after arriving to help a man in Bath earlier this year.
Dan was also spat at in the eye during the incident.
The man has since been sentenced to 32 weeks in prison.
Paramedic Mike Jones, who is SWASFT's Violence Reduction Lead, said:
"Sadly our people are victim every day to unacceptable behaviour from a minority of patients and other members of the public, while they are serving the communities of the South West and saving lives. Any such incident can have a lasting impact on them, their loved ones, and other colleagues.
We take whatever is necessary to protect our people from harm, including doing all we can to ensure offenders are prosecuted through the criminal justice system.
Please respect our people, and help them to help you."
PLAN TO REDUCE INCIDENTS
In order to try and reduce the number of these incidents happening, Mike confirmed that they are planning on bringing in body cameras.
It's hoped this will help bring anyone abusing staff members to justice and help police find culprits easier.
Mike told Greatest Hits Radio:
"Our message to people who decide to abuse and assault our staff is very clear, if you're one of those small select people that think it's appropriate we will find you and do everything we can within our power that you get prosecuted for your actions."