Incidents followed in which emergency services were kicked, spat at and even threatened with knives
Stoke-on-Trent will be one of the first areas the kit will be used as it has some of the most common cases of abuseAuthor: Adam SmithPublished on March 31, 2021
Last updated March 31, 2021
Paramedics in Staffordshire and Cheshire hope for a sharp drop in violent attacks against them when they first use body cameras starting today.
Physical and verbal attacks on paramedics have increased over the past year. The West Midlands Ambulance Service, which covers Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, reported more than 1,200 incidents, and the North West Ambulance Service, which covers Cheshire, treated nearly 400.
The new technology is expected to be in the hands of paramedics today, March 31, 2021.
Medical professionals can record at the touch of a button whether a patient or a member of the public is becoming threatening or aggressive. The footage can then be used in court to aid law enforcement.
Paramedic Kristoffer Fairhurst will be one of the first to use the cameras.
He told us, “Unfortunately, it’s all too common that frontline workers are exposed to violence from the very people we are trying to help.
“I worked for the emergency services for 13 years and during that time I was kicked, spat at, yelled at and even threatened with a knife.
“This shouldn’t be happening, and I hope these cameras give us extra protection to deter abuse, help with law enforcement, and make employees feel safer.”
Kristoffer added that hundreds of personal injuries were reported against employees in 2020, with a nearly 5% increase since 2018 despite lockdowns in place.
In addition, thousands of cases of verbal abuse or threatening behavior have been reported.
Operations Director Ged Blezard said: “Our employees work day in and day out to protect and care for their patients. They don’t deserve to be mistreated and attacked.
“Protecting our employees is our top priority and this is a huge step in reducing violence and aggression against them. Not only will this help track down criminals, but it is also intended to help de-escalate situations and prevent attacks from occurring in the first place. “
A dedicated violence and aggression group has been set up to proactively address common offenders and work with the police and partner agencies to impose sanctions where possible.
