One cop attacked every day in county
At least one police officer is attacked every day in Ayrshire.
Latest shock figures have prompted a new pledge after 450 assaults were recorded on emergency responders. Out of the 450, 404 of them were attacks on police officers.
The data from Police Scotland has revealed attacks on officers, fire and ambulance crews, NHS workers and prison staff.
Forms of abuse include both physical and verbal and some workers being spat on while attending emergencies.
There were 129 attacks on emergency workers in South
Ayrshire, 138 in East Ayrshire and 183 in North Ayrshire from March 2020 to April 2021.
Now a joint-force, Ayrshire Assault Pledge, hopes to mark the “beginning of the end of assaults on emergency workers.”
The pledge will bring together the region’s key emergency responders, Police Scotland, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Scottish Ambulance Service, British Transport Police, Scottish Fire and Rescue and Serco (prison officers).
Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain has led the campaign to end the abuse against staff and said: “Tackling the concerning trend of increasing assaults on officers and staff is a priority for Police Scotland.
“It causes physical and psychological harm to dedicated public servants.
“Officers and staff across Ayrshire work with dedication and a commitment to helping people and violence and abuse against them is not simply part of the job.”
British Transport Police officers have pledged an end to violence.
Chief Superintendent Gill Murray added: “Violence and aggression against emergency workers is not acceptable and that is why we are working together to make a stand against this.”
Professor Hazel Borland, NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s stand-in chief executive said: “Our staff treat patients, and anyone else we come into contact with as part of our work activity, with dignity and respect and our staff have the right to expect that treatment in return.”
John Burnham, head of service of Ayrshire and Arran for the Scottish Ambulance Service, has also called out physical and verbal assaults on paramedics.
He said: “Our staff work incredibly hard, helping people in need and keeping them safe. They should not ever have to fear for their safety.”
Ian McMeekin, senior fire officer, added: “Being subject to physical attacks, verbal abuse or being spat on is wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”