September 13, 2018 2.17 pm This story is over 66 months old

Almost 120 ambulance crew assaulted in Lincolnshire

A zero tolerance approach to those who lash out at ambulance crews.

Almost 120 ambulance crew members have been assaulted in Lincolnshire since April alone.

Altogether, frontline staff at the East Midlands Ambulance Service reported 476 assaults, including five incidents involving spitting, five involving knives, two involving firearms and three involving racial abuse.

Of the 117 incidents in Lincolnshire, 17 resulted in physical injury and 64 involved alcohol.

The figures were shared with The Lincolnite in line with implementation, from Thursday, September 13, of double prison sentences for offenders.

The Assault on Emergency Service Bill was brought into force from today, increasing the maximum prison sentence for a common assault from six months to one year if the victim is a member of the emergency services.

In addition, sexual assaults will be added to the law.

EMAS said assaults have huge impact on many crews, including injuries, stress, emotional and psychological issues in the long term.

Mark Ward, Security Management Specialist for EMAS, said: “We welcome this development and I hope the increase in sentencing will act as a greater deterrent to anyone who thinks of lashing out at our crews.

“Assaults on our staff are absolutely unacceptable and we take a zero tolerance approach towards anyone who verbally, physically or sexually assaults them.

“Our frontline colleagues, the team in our 999 control room and our volunteers spend their days helping the public. They deserve to be treated with respect and we will continue to work with the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to prosecute those who abuse our them.”