Midlands ambulance workers attacked more than 900 times in one year
Ambulance workers across the Midlands have suffered nearly 4,500 violent attacks in recent years, according to an investigation by the GMB union.
Attacks on workers from East Midlands and West Midlands Ambulance Services took place 4,318 times from the financial year 2017/18 to 21/22.
Almost 300 of these were sexual assaults. A breakdown shows 169 happened in the West Midlands and 130 attacks happened in the East Midlands.
Ambulance workers will take to the stage at GMB’s annual congress in Brighton today (4 June) to discuss the attacks.
GMB’s ambulance members successfully changed the law in 2018 when the Assaults Against Emergency Workers (Offences) Act made assaults on ambulance workers an aggravating factor for sentencing.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said:
“Ambulance workers across the Midlands go to work every day to save lives.
“Despite this, thousands of them are bitten, attacked, spat at and even sexually assaulted.
"No one should have to put up with that, least of all those who are there to protect us.
“GMB members helped change the law but more needs to be done.
“We demand full enforcement of the Protect the Protectors legislation, investment in better systems to flag offenders, and much better support for the victims of violence.”
A government spokesperson said: “Assaults on members of our emergency services are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The government has doubled the maximum penalty for assaulting an emergency worker so those convicted face up to two years’ imprisonment, with escalating sentences for more serious incidents.
“We are also working closely with NHS England as it takes action to prevent and reduce violence against staff, including through body-worn camera trials and a national violence prevention hub to ensure NHS staff can work in a safe environment.
“The NHS Violence Reduction Programme aims to protect staff and ensure offenders are punished quickly and effectively.”