Medics in danger at 2k homes

PARAMEDICS can’t enter more than 2500 homes in Scotland without the police in case they’re attacked.

The Scottish Ambulance Service red-flagged 2557 addresses, meaning their crews can only attend in response to a 999 call with police back-up.

The majority are in and around Glasgow, with 820 in the G postcode area.

Edinburgh and the Lothians contain 469 addresses, followed by 216 in Lanarkshire and 191 in Ayrshire.

In Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, 169 addresses require police, as do 150 in Fife.

The ambulance service revealed the figures after a freedom of information request by the Tories.

The party’s public health spokeswoman Annie Wells said the “shocking” figures highlight the need for more action to keep ambulance crews safe.

She said: “No paramedic should ever fear for their own wellbeing, especially when they are dedicating their lives to helping others.

“We need tough action from the courts when those assaulting, or threatening to assault, ambulance workers are caught.”

Anyone convicted of attacking emergency workers faces up to a year behind bars, a £10,000 fine or both.

The Government previously said 6509 assaults were recorded on emergency workers across Scotland in 2016-17, or 17 per day.