Attacks on North East emergency services increased over lockdown
Physical attacks on the North East’s emergency services have increased during the period of lockdown, according to data shared with ITV Tyne Tees.
Three of the region's police forces saw major rises in attacks with:
Northumbria Police recording a 365 per cent increase in assaults on constables
North Yorkshire recording a 58 per cent rise
Cleveland Police seeing a 49 per cent jump.
The North East Ambulance Service reported a 21 per cent increase in physical assaults against its emergency crews.
The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service was the only crew to send ITV data, with a 28 per cent fall in attacks during the lockdown period.
However, one firefighter who was attacked said: “It is demoralising, isn’t it? You think you’re doing a good job. You think you get on with the public and then you’ve got to deal with incidents of that type”.
POLICE FORCES
Northumbria Police told ITV News there were 107 attacks on countables during lockdown, compared to 23 during the same period last year. That is a massive 365 per cent rise.
North Yorkshire Constabulary said it had seen a 58 per cent increase in attacks on its officers, with 87 assaults against officers, up from 55 in 2019.
Cleveland Police recorded a 49 per cent increase in attacks, with 311 incidents taking place during lockdown, compared to 209 the year previous.
PSCO Dylan Middlesmiss of Durham Constabulary was attacked during a callout to a bonfire in Seaham in June. He received injuries to his leg and face after being run down by a motorbike and beaten.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
The North East Ambulance Service told ITV News it had seen a 21 per cent increase in physical assaults on its crews during lockdown, recording 76 attacks, compared to 63 in 2019.
Incidents of intimidating behaviour were up by 25 per cent with 81 incidents compared to 65 during the same period last year and verbal abuse incidents jumped by 13 per cent, with 77 reports compared to 68 the year before.
Clinical Care Assistant, Rob Barlow, was attacked with his colleague at knifepoint. He had been attending a suspected drugs overdose, but when he and his colleague attempted to administer life-saving medicine, the patient erupted.
FIRE SERVICE
Only the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service shared data on attacks in our region. The service said incidents were actually down by 28 per cent on the year before but insisted it is still a problem.
It recorded 30 attacks on its firefighters, which is down from 45 in the same period last year. These included objects thrown at officers and fire engines, acts of aggression and verbal abuse.
Crew manager Peter Wilson told ITV News his vehicle was attacked when he was attending a fire.
All members of the emergency services agree that attacks on them, whilst carrying out their duties to help and protect the public, are demoralising, especially when working hard to keep people safe.
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