In the six months leading to September 2024, reported incidents of violence, aggression, and abuse against ambulance staff surged to 11,817, representing 61% of the total incidents reported for the entire 2023/24 period.

This alarming statistic translates to at least 55 ambulance staff being abused or attacked every day in the UK, according to the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE).

The AACE has warned that if the current trend continues, incidents of violence against ambulance workers could exceed 20,000 for the first time in 2025.

Factors such as alcohol and drug use, along with mental health crises, are significant contributors to these assaults, with over 5,000 incidents anticipated during the winter months.

The types of assaults reported range from headbutting, spitting, and biting to kicking, verbal abuse, and even serious attacks involving weapons.

Anna Parry from AACE highlighted the detrimental impact of such violence on ambulance employees' wellbeing, which has led some to leave the service altogether.

Rachel Harrison from the GMB union emphasized that ambulance workers, who are dedicated to saving lives, should not have to endure such violence.

Alan Lofthouse from Unison condemned the violence faced by paramedics, stressing the urgent need for tougher consequences and better protection for staff.

The Protect the Protectors law, enacted in 2018, aims to enhance protections for emergency service workers by increasing the maximum sentence for assault from six to twelve months, yet unions are calling for better enforcement and support for victims.

In response to the rising violence, ambulance services are implementing measures such as body cameras to deter aggressive behavior against their workers.