Vote to protect our heroes

A call was made earlier this year to arm our paramedics!

It was made in the West Midlands by a frustrated paramedic after one his number was bitten by a patient.

We can understand the frustration, but arming these brave people with pepper sprays or Tasers is not the right way forward.

But that we are still awaiting legislation to afford extra protection for front line emergency staff like ambulance workers is a national shame.

Assaults on the very people who devote their working lives to helping others appal the public.

Yet our political leaders have been incredibly slow in affording them greater support and protection through legislation.

The statistics we reveal today show just how serious the situation is getting. It is escalating. The GMB tell us today that ambulance staff have not only been bitten in the line of duty, but stabbed and had blood spat at them in a barrage of more than 14,000 physical assaults since 2012.

An investigation revealed that in the space of a year, recorded attacks on ambulance workers averaged more than eight a day.

Ambulance staff have had bones broken and even cars driven at them.

A survey of ambulance staff found 72% had been attacked while on duty, 21% had to take sick leave due to violent assaults, and 37% have considered leaving their job due to the threat of violence. What a sad state of affairs.

This Friday the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill faces its final House of Commons vote.

We trust for the sake of all our emergency staff that we can forget the call to arms, and give them the legal support they deserve.