Patient attacked paramedic as he was treated
A PARAMEDIC was injured after being attacked while treating a patient in Northumberland.
The North East Ambulance Service has condemned the assault on its crew member who was responding to a call on Harper Street in Blyth at around 5.45pm on Monday.
Police were called after the paramedic was attacked and injured by the suspect, who went on to cause extensive damage to the ambulance, which is now off the road until it can be repaired.
He then locked himself inside a nearby address before officers arrived at the scene.
Police arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of assault by beating of an emergency worker and he remains in custody.
Last year, The Chronicle launched our ‘Justice for Heroes’ campaign, calling for a Government review of the sentences handed to thugs who lash out at our 999 heroes, after it emerged that just one in six assaults on emergency staff led to the attacker being put behind bars in the 12 months after new sentencing powers came into force.
And in September, it was revealed the maximum penalty for assaulting emergency workers was doubling from one to two years.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said at the time that the change “sends a clear and simple message” to offenders.
Paul Liversidge, deputy chief executive and chief operating officer at North East Ambulance Service, said it was “unacceptable behaviour”.
“We have had enough of emergency service workers being attacked while going about their jobs,” he said.
“The law last year was strengthened to protect our crews and sends a clear message to people that this behaviour will not be tolerated.
“This incident left a paramedic injured and our vehicle so badly damaged it is now off the road needing repairs.
“As a result, we were delayed in providing the help needed by the patient being treated at the time and we lost a crew which was unavailable to treat other patients for the remainder of the shift.
“We work closely with our police colleagues and will always support our staff to bring anyone to justice who chooses to harm them.”
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Shortly after 5.45pm yesterday (Monday) we were alerted by the ambulance service that a paramedic had been assaulted on Harper Street, Blyth.
“It was reported that a male had assaulted a paramedic and caused damage to the ambulance, before locking himself inside a nearby address. Police arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of assault by beating of an emergency worker. He remains in custody at this time with enquiries ongoing.”