The following news item originally appeared on the Association of Ambulance Chief Executive’s website.
New data from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) has revealed that UK ambulance services are on course for the highest rate of reported incidents of violence, aggression and abuse directed at their people ever recorded in the sector with over 20,000 incidents expected across the fourteen UK ambulance services in the 2024-25 financial year.
This means that every single day, at least 55 ambulance staff will be abused or attacked, with reported incidents including kicking, punching, slapping, head-butting, spitting, verbal abuse and sexual assault, and ranging from common assault to significant serious attacks involving a multitude of weapons. On top of this many assaults go unreported, so the true figure is actually higher.
These concerning statistics come after the busy festive period, with data from AACE – which represents the UK public ambulance sector – revealing it is likely that over 5,000 incidents will be reported between the busiest winter months of December 2024, January and February 2025 alone. As a result, AACE is highlighting the profound impact of this abuse on the everyday lives of ambulance staff while encouraging the small minority of people who might commit these offences to have greater respect for the people who are trying to help them when they are most in need.
Jason Killens, AACE Chair and Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust said:
“It is with huge regret that we see the level of violence, aggression and abuse across all UK ambulance services increasing and that frontline clinical employees as well as call handlers are affected. This unacceptable behaviour has a major long-term impact on the health and wellbeing of ambulance people who are simply trying to do their jobs and help save lives. This is why we are making a plea to the public to ensure that our staff are treated with the respect they deserve, especially during the busy festive period. We are also asking the judiciary to use their full powers under the Assaults on Emergency Workers Offences Act 2018 legislation to ensure appropriate sentences are handed out consistently to those found guilty of committing these crimes against our workforce.”
The AACE data shows:
- The UK public ambulance sector is on course for the highest rate of reported incidents ever seen in the sector, already hitting 61% of the previous financial year’s total of 19,633 (2023/24) in just six months of 2024/25 (11,817) to end September 2024. At this rate of increase, AACE expects to see reported incidents of violence, aggression and abuse exceed 20,000 for the first time ever across the fourteen UK ambulance services (including the devolved nations).
- Based upon the current rate of increase, AACE expects to see over 5,000 incidents reported between the key winter months of December, January and February, with over 2,000 expected in December 2024 alone, the focal month for Christmas and New Year celebrations where alcohol use tends to be more prevalent than usual.
- There has been a significant increase in reported incidents of violence, aggression and abuse against ambulance staff over the past four years. In 2021/22 the total figure was 15,430. In 2022/23 it rose by 2.7% to 15,857 but in 2023/24 the figure rose by 23.8% to 19,633. The data to end September 2024 (half of the 2024/25 financial year) shows recorded incidents hitting 11,817, with a trajectory suggesting reported assaults will exceed 20,000 for the first time ever, a further increase of at least 2%, but most likely higher
- Alcohol is the most prominent factor in assaults against ambulance staff, followed by drugs and people in mental health crisis. Race and sexuality have also increased as exacerbating factors in these assaults.
Anna Parry, Managing Director of AACE said:
“These new figures highlight the upsetting fact that ambulance employees face the very real possibility of being subject to violence or abuse each time they start a shift. This can have a significant and lasting impact on wellbeing and sometimes even lead to people leaving the ambulance service. Our ongoing #WorkWithoutFear campaign is shining a light on this alarming issue and raising awareness of the negative impact of this behaviour on our people, while a significant amount of work is ongoing within ambulance services to help better protect our workforce.”
As a result of the escalation in violence and abusive incidents, NHS ambulance services have prioritised the safety of their people and are undertaking several initiatives alongside the #WorkWithoutFear campaign to try and effect behavioural change among those who might carry out these assaults or become abusive, while providing employees with as much support as possible to reduce the incidence of assaults.
Karl Demian, TASC’s CEO, responded to the news about the increasing violence against ambulance staff:
“Many ambulance workers, including those answering vital 999 calls in the dispatch centres, face the possibility of violence and aggression every time they start a shift, and we’re incredibly saddened to hear that the number of violent incidents is increasing.
It’s horrifying to think that those who are simply trying to do their jobs are experiencing abuse which can affect their mental and physical health for a long time afterwards. And it does, because at TASC we regularly hear about the devastating and long-term impacts an assault can have on someone’s wellbeing. The abuse we hear about ranges from verbal abuse, racist comments and intimidation to physical attacks like having faeces thrown at them, punches and even having knives used against them. Despite all that, ambulance staff continue to turn up for work to help and serve their local communities, and we couldn’t be prouder of them.”
If you’ve been affected by abuse or assault on the job, TASC is here to provide confidential and independent support including talking therapies and services to aid your recovery from injury. Learn more at www.theasc.org.uk or call 02477 987 922 (9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday)