Emergency services attacked by drunks

SURVEY: Blue light services call for end to ‘unnacceptable’ behaviour

Scotland’s emergency services have united to demand an end to alcoholrelated abuse against their workers – as figures suggest drink is linked to half of all 999 call-outs.

Police officers, paramedics and firefighters said they have been punched, threatened and spat on while trying to do their job on the front line in emergencies.

A staff survey across the three blue light services found alcohol misuse is a contributory factor in around half of the incidents 999 workers responded to.

One in three workers said they were subjected to physical abuse while attending an alcohol-related incident over the four weeks the survey looked at.

Two-thirds said they have experienced verbal abuse from drinkers, while a similar proportion said they had faced difficulties in securing urgent information because of victims or callers being drunk.

The three services are now campaigning for an end to such “unacceptable” behaviour.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) assistant chief officer David McGown said: “The public will be shocked to hear our front-line firefighters and control officers are often abused and obstructed by people under the influence of alcohol.

“They are all working to save lives and protect property.

“Being drunk is absolutely no excuse for impeding emergency responders or directing abuse at them.”

Anonymous responses to the survey shed light on what the services called the “sad reality” faced by those on the front line.

One firefighter said: “I was in breathing apparatus at a house fire and I found a man lying in his bed.

“The smoke alarm was blaring but he only woke up when I shook him to see if he was alive. He punched me in the face.”

An ambulance crew member told the survey: “I have been assaulted, spat at and verbally abused too many times to mention.”

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said: “The demands being placed on the emergency services by people who are drunk are huge.”

Daren Mochrie, director of service delivery for the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), said: “Our front-line staff should not have to fear for their own safety when treating patients, but alcohol is a key factor in most assaults.”

Front-line staff from Police Scotland, the SAS and SFRS were questioned for the survey. It ran internally from June 17 to July 15 and was completed by 1,900 people.