Rise in attacks on ambulance staff in Dorset

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is warning that anyone who assaults or abuses its staff could face prosecution, as figures show there were 208 reported cases of violence and aggression towards ambulance staff last year, up from 183 in 2019.

Across the whole region, SWASFT staff reported a total of 1,584 cases of violence and aggression during 2020, up 64 per cent compared to 2019.

In January 2021, ambulance staff across the trust experienced 147 cases of violence and aggression from patients and member of the public, up six per cent on last year. These included 51 cases of verbal abuse, 37 cases of aggressive behaviour and 31 physical assaults.

Weymouth-based paramedic James Ryan was attacked in the back of an ambulance in 2019. He said: "It was really scary, my glasses were knocked off and I was pinned down helplessly under the full weight of this man, getting punched."

Mr Ryan was said to have been punched and thrown around the back of the ambulance before being rescued by his partner in the front seat who called the police. The attacker was arrested, although the ambulance service said it took a few officers to pin him down.

Paramedic Mike Jones, violence reduction lead at SWASFT, says attacking ambulance staff is 'unacceptable'.

He said: "Sadly our people continue to be attacked and abused every day while they are serving the communities of the south west and saving lives.

"We are also seeing regular occurrences of members of the public spitting at our staff and weaponising coronavirus.

"Any such incident can have a serious and lasting impact on them, their families and loved ones.

"It is unacceptable to abuse and attack our staff and we won't tolerate it.

"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."