The amount of assaults on emergency workers has increased again in the last 12 months with many workers being spat on, head butted and kicked. There were 1,421 assaults in the six-month period between January to June 2022, up from 1,396 in the same period last year, representing a 1.8% increase, new figures have revealed.
Assaults ranged from slapping, scratching, spitting and verbal abuse to punching, biting, kicking and head-butting. Seven incidents involved a weapon, and more than a quarter of assaults resulted in injury. This means that emergency workers in Wales recieved injuries more that 355 times in the last six months. That is almost two a day.
The local authorities with the highest rates of assaults compared to population was Wrexham followed by Denbighshire. Both areas have seen notable increases when compared with the 12 months to June 2021, with Wrexham rising from 98 incidents to 164 (up 66) and Denbighshire increasing from 82 incidents to 115 (up 33).
Almost half (45.2%) of emergency worker assaults take place in south east Wales, the most prolific local authority areas being Cardiff, Newport and Rhondda Cynon Taf. The top three locations for emergency worker assaults in the January to June 2022 period were Cardiff city centre, Cardiff Bay Police Station and Swansea Central Police Station.
In terms of the age of people committing the assaults, the age bracket 26-35 accounts for the highest portion of offending (23.6%) with Friday and Saturday nights unsurprisingly the times when the most incidents occur with 26% happening at those times. Alcohol intoxication continues to present as the largest impact factor, applying to a quarter of all incidents.
Disgustingly, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been at least 42 incidents where an emergency worker has deliberately been coughed at. Ahead of the Christmas party season, emergency workers are appealing to the public to treat them with respect. Jason Killens, chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “The run-up to Christmas means more people are out enjoying the revelry, and with alcohol consumption comes an increase in assaults, both physical and verbal.
“There were 77 verbal attacks alone on our ambulance control room staff in the first six months of the year. We know it’s distressing when you’re waiting for help, but abusing our call handlers is not the answer – if anything, it could potentially delay help.
“And on the road, crews might have no choice but to leave a scene if their safety is compromised, and that’s not helpful for anyone, especially the patient. Emergency workers are normal human beings just trying to do a job – they’re there to help you, so give them the credit and respect they deserve.”
Among the victims of assault are PC Alisha Pontin and PC Katie White from South Wales Police who earlier this year responded to a report of a disturbance in Port Talbot. While at the address, the offender James Perry became aggressive and threatened PCs Pontin and White with a knife.
They were left with no option but to taser him. Perry was later sentenced to 20 months in prison for criminal damage, Section 4 public order, threatening a person with a bladed article in a private place and assaulting an emergency worker. You can see a video of the terrifying incident here. Assaults on police accounted for 70.8% of the total number in the six-month reporting period.
James Ratti, South Wales Police’s Chief Inspector of Operations in Swansea Neath Port Talbot, said: “The footage from the officers’ body worn cameras shows the dangers that officers can face at any time. Police officers go above and beyond in their duties to protect people and under no circumstances should they be assaulted or verbally abused.
“The overwhelming majority of the public support the work of our officers and will understandably be shocked by the footage. I am extremely proud of PC Pontin and PC White’s professionalism and bravery in dealing with this incident.”
Although fewer in number – 27 incidents over the six-month period – assaults on fire service colleagues included an incident at a playground where a youth spat at a firefighter. Roger Thomas, chief fire officer at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It is disgraceful that people attack emergency service workers whilst they are working hard to protect communities and save lives and properties. Attacks of this nature may result in physical injury, damage to life-saving vehicles and equipment and also impacts negatively on the mental health of our staff.
“Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service takes a zero-tolerance approach to physical threats and attacks towards our staff and we are working with the police to bring the perpetrators to justice.” Under the Assault on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act, the definition of an emergency worker includes police, fire and ambulance staff, as well as prison staff and NHS workers.
The With Us, Not Against Us campaign was launched in May 2021 by the Joint Emergency Service Group in Wales to try and reduce the number of assaults on emergency workers. Pledge your support on social media using the hashtag #WithUsNotAgainstUs or #GydaNiNidYnEinHerbyn.
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