Shocking body-worn camera footage released by the London Ambulance Service reveals the harrowing reality faced by frontline paramedics, as a patient is seen spitting directly into the face of a paramedic attempting to provide treatment. In a separate assault, another violent patient hurls a stretcher at an ambulance crew inside a hospital.
Both incidents, captured by paramedic James on his body-worn camera, resulted in prosecutions. However, there has been widespread outrage that these violent offenders walked free from court with suspended sentences, a decision many believe undermines the safety and morale of emergency workers who risk their lives daily to save others.
"Frightening and disgusting"
Describing his experiences, James recounted: "It is frightening when a patient attacks you. And spitting is the lowest, most disgusting and most disrespectful thing you can do – not to mention the fear of infection risk. It's worse than being punched."
Spitting poses significant risks to emergency workers, as saliva can transmit various highly infectious diseases, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis. In addition, saliva exposure carries a risk of HIV transmission in rare cases where blood is present. Such incidents are not only degrading but also place paramedics and EMTs at a heightened risk of contracting life-threatening illnesses. While police officers are equipped with spit hoods, emergency ambulance crews currently lack similar protective measures, leaving them more vulnerable during confrontations with aggressive patients.
The first incident occurred when James and his colleague responded to an unwell individual on the street last year. Attempts to assess the patient's condition were met with unprovoked aggression, culminating in the man spitting at both paramedics. James' colleague was struck in the eye, requiring a painful and intrusive procedure at the hospital to flush the area and minimise potential long-term complications.
Many have expressed the view that those who assault NHS staff should face severe consequences, including restrictions on their ability to access NHS services in the future. This belief highlights the anger the public and NHS workers feel, as they demand stronger measures to deter such behaviour.
Earlier in the year, James' camera also documented an altercation with another patient who, after being transported to hospital, became violent. He explained: "She threatened to smash our faces in and found a scoop to throw at us and then a bin. You just don't feel safe in a situation like that."
Rising violence against paramedics
Recent figures from the London Ambulance Service (LAS) lay bare the deeply troubling epidemic of violence and abuse faced by paramedics and EMTs in the capital, highlighting a crisis that demands urgent attention and stronger deterrents against such reprehensible behaviour.
In the year leading up to April 2024, there were 2,159 reported incidents of violence or abuse against these frontline workers. This figure represents a 40% increase from the 1,525 incidents reported in 2022/23. Every month, an average of over 200 incidents of violence and aggression are reported.
These incidents encompass a wide range of aggressive behaviours, including:
Attacks with weapons
Kicking
Punching
Head-butting
Spitting
Sexual assault
Verbal abuse
A separate report revealed the alarming statistic that two ambulance medics are assaulted every single day in London. The number of reported assaults surged by 39%, from 523 in 2022 to 728 in 2023.
National statistics underscore the crisis
While precise figures for assaults on paramedics and EMTs across England in the last 12 months are challenging to obtain, data from previous years highlights a worrying national trend. In 2022, a staggering 11,749 ambulance staff across the country reported experiencing abuse or assault. This equates to an average of 32 incidents daily. Over five years, more than 50,000 ambulance crews and control room staff encountered verbal or physical assault or threatening behaviour.
More recent data from the 2022/23 financial year indicates that an average of 35 ambulance employees in England faced violence, aggression, verbal abuse, or sexual assault each day.
Recent findings further underscore the escalating problem, revealing that reported cases of violence and abuse against paramedics and emergency call handlers have increased by over a third since 2019. Nearly 45,000 assaults were recorded by ambulance services in England over the past five years.
Protective measures and a call for change
London Ambulance Service has equipped all frontline staff with body-worn cameras designed to deter assaults and provide vital evidence in investigations. Chief Paramedic Pauline Cranmer emphasised their importance: "Cameras act as an independent witness and as a result offenders are more likely to plead guilty. This saves our crews from the ordeal of having to face their attacker in court."
Paramedic James acknowledged the reassurance provided by the cameras, saying: "I feel like I have a layer of protection with it on." However, he also highlighted the emotional toll of such incidents: "When you're attacked, it's difficult to want to come back to work. Most patients aren't like this, but it's hard to ignore how vulnerable incidents like these make us feel. The leniency shown to perpetrators only adds to the frustration and disillusionment."
The London Ambulance Service has established a dedicated Violence Reduction Unit to encourage the reporting of all incidents and to support staff through the legal process. Ambulances also have CCTV, electronic tracking systems, and portable radios to enhance crew safety.
"A small minority, but a significant impact"
Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles addressed the broader implications of such violence: "Abusive patients are just a small minority of the people we care for every day, but these appalling videos show the very real threat our ambulance crews face. They come to work to help people and deserve to be treated with respect.
"Incidents like this don't just impact the victims but also the service we provide. They can mean ambulances being unavailable, delaying help for other patients."
Elkeles reiterated the Service's commitment to pursuing justice for assaulted staff: "Anyone who threatens or abuses our people will risk being prosecuted. However, the current system must do more to ensure offenders face meaningful consequences, as suspended sentences fail to reflect the gravity of these attacks or protect our workers adequately."
The Unacceptable Leniency Towards Assaults on Ambulance Crews
The recent incidents of assault on paramedics, as captured by body-worn cameras, are not just isolated acts of violence but a reflection of a systemic failure in protecting our emergency service workers. When attackers of these brave individuals walk away with suspended sentences, it sends a chilling message: that their assaults will go unpunished. This is an outrage and a betrayal of those who dedicate their lives to saving others.
Suspended sentences for assaulting emergency workers, like the paramedics who faced spitting and physical violence, do not serve justice nor deter future attacks. These sentences fail to recognise the severity of the crimes committed against individuals who are already in harm's way. Paramedics & EMTs, often the first responders in emergencies, should not have to fear for their safety while performing their duties. The emotional and physical toll these attacks take is immense, with the added risk of contracting life-threatening diseases from such assaults. The Criminal Justice system must reflect the gravity of these acts by imposing immediate custodial sentences that match the severity of the offence…
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