ASSAULTS on Welsh emergency workers have increased, new data has revealed.
In the first six months of 2024, Newport saw assaults at the rate of 1.22 per 1,000 population, Blaenau Gwent 1.33, Torfaen 1.17, and Caerphilly 1.01.
More than 3,000 assaults were committed across Wales in the 12 months to June 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of nine per cent.
They included kicking, slapping, spitting, biting, head-butting and verbal abuse, and ranged from common assault to serious premediated attacks involving grievous bodily harm.
Nine incidents involved a weapon.
With Christmas approaching, emergency workers are asking the public to treat them with respect.
Jason Killens, chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “Ambulance crews are there to help people, but they can’t fight for someone’s life if they’re fighting for their own.
“In our control room, meanwhile, the verbal abuse of call handlers could potentially be delaying help for the patient.
“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.
“Our ask is simple – emergency workers want to help you, so please treat them with respect and work with us, not against us.”
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.
Mark Hobrough, temporary chief constable at Gwent Police, said: “Nobody should be subjected to any kind of assault, and it is concerning that some people believe this is an appropriate way to act towards another person.
“Our officers, along with our emergency service colleagues, will often deal with people during difficult times in their lives, but that does not justify the abusive, threatening and violent behaviour they frequently experience.
“We will support any officer or emergency service worker who has experienced abuse or violence while also taking firm action against those responsible.”
Judith Paget, Welsh Government’s director general for health and social services and the NHS Wales chief executive, said: “The impact of any form of assault, verbal or physical, is incredibly harmful to our NHS emergency workers who work tirelessly to care and treat those in greatest need.
“The Welsh Government is committed to working in partnership with NHS Wales, the police and the CPS via the NHS Wales Anti-Violence Collaborative to ensure that we are doing everything to prevent incidents occurring, and to support any staff who do experience threats and violence.”