Press Release - Increase in Attacks on Ambulance Crews[02/08/06 @ 11:00]

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service today expressed concern at the recent increase in attacks on the service. Following the most recent incidents over the weekend when separate crews were assaulted by patients in Carrickfergus , Dunmurry and Glengormley , a spokespesman said,

"The Trust is concerned that the number of reported attacks on ambulance crews is on the increase and we find ourselves, once again, condemning these attacks in the strongest possible terms.

Ambulance personnel, in the performance of their duties, are often faced with potentially violent situations and an increased sense of vulnerability.

That they should be allowed to carry out their duties without fear of attack should never be in question. Unfortunately there are too many incidents when these men and women, dedicated to serving the communities in which they live, are seen as soft targets.

We thought that these types of incidents were becoming a thing of the past as we witnessed a drop in the number of reported attacks. We would call on everyone to redouble their efforts to ensure that NIAS crews are afforded the respect they deserve and the protection of the local communities. We would also urge that any person brought before the courts as a result of assaulting ambulance staff, or for that matter any health service or emergency staff, should receive the stiffest sentencing possible".