Ambulance danger areas
Paramedics may call for police back up if heading to addresses flagged up in system
Dozens of Rutherglen and Cambuslang streets have been flagged as a potential risk for paramedics.
A special Reformer investigation can this week reveal the figures.
More than 35 addresses in Rutherglen and Cambuslang have been flagged as no-go areas for paramedics according to latest statistics.
Figures revealed under a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Reformer show that 37 addresses have been highlighted as having a potential risk of violence, with police attendance possibly needed.
According to figures revealed this week, there are 306 areas in Lanarkshire and 875 locations believed to be of risk to paramedics in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
There are seven postcodes south and seven north of Cambuslang Main Street, while 23 addresses in Rutherglen pose a threat to members of the Scottish Ambulance Service.
In Toryglen seven addresses and in Castlemilk, 17, were considered a potential risk.
The Reformer can also reveal that there was only one area in Croftfoot that may see paramedics given police back up when attending.
However, figures highlighted there were 35 addresses in East Kilbride that were flagged as nogo areas and 36 were considered the same in Hamilton.
The service said addresses with a previous history of violence or threatening behaviour towards staff are flagged as a protective measure so that when a call from that address comes in dispatchers can request police assistance.
It added that ambulance crews are trained to manage aggression and to do a risk assessment when they arrive at the scene. If they have concerns they are instructed to await the arrival of police or additional ambulance crews.
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “The safety of ambulance staff is paramount, which is why the service takes appropriate measures to protect them.
“They should not have to fear for their own safety when treating patients.
“As one of a number of protective measures, individual addresses where there have been previous incidents of violence or threatening behaviour towards staff are flagged in control rooms.
“This means that if a 999 call comes in from a flagged address dispatchers can identify that staff may be at risk and request additional support, if required.
“Ambulance crews are given training in management of aggression and how to undertake a full risk assessment on arrival at scene to establish if there is any potential danger. If any crews feel that their safety may be compromised they are instructed to hold nearby the scene and await support from the police or additional ambulance crews.”
Inspector Jim Gillespie of Rutherglen Police Office told the Reformer that Police Scotland did not get many calls to assist paramedics in Rutherglen or Cambuslang.
He confirmed that it was a rare occurrence for police to attend such incidents in the towns.
If any crew feel their safety may be compromised they hold and await support