Crews face more abuse as holidays get under way
ATTACKS on emergency services are rising in the region with fears more frontline workers will face abuse as the summer school holidays get into full swing.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), Northumbria Police, and the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) have said they have seen an increase in the number of attacks on their crews over the last year.
While those responsible are a small minority, the fire service has said the damage they can do can be catastrophic to the blue light response in the region. It was reported that firefighters were attacked more than 100 times while responding to incidents in the last year, a 30% rise on the previous year. Paramedics and medical staff have reportedly suffered 192 attacks, and another 370 incidents of verbal abuse while responding to those who need them the most. This includes incidents of physical abuse, sexual abuse as well as patients and members of the public lashing out at crews.
Now blue light leaders have come together ahead of the summer holiday peak and called on parents to have candid conversations with their children to prevent further attacks. In one recent incident, a group of teenagers gathered outside Farringdon Community Fire Station in Sunderland on July 11. The fire service said the group hurled bricks at the building and their crews.
TWFRS confirmed nobody was injured but the doors of the station, which also houses the neighbourhood policing team, were damaged and a police car was also smashed. Northumbria Police are investigating and a 17-year-old boy has been arrested and released under investigation.
Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther said: “As we approach the school summer holidays we have noted an increase in attacks on crews and this needs to stop.
“The situations emergency workers put themselves in, in order to keep our communities safe, is incredible and it’s ridiculous that they should be attacked.
“Firefighters not being able to work due to injury or appliances out of use because of damage, puts us all at risk.
“Our crews and officers are working in really demanding conditions because we are committed to keeping the public safe. These acts are being carried out by a small minority of people acting like this but their actions can be detrimental to us as a fire service.
“The majority of those responsible are teenagers who need to be aware of the consequences and we would ask parents to speak to their children and educate them about what they’re doing. We want to work with the public and our partners to make sure that things like this don’t happen, while holding those responsible to account.
“Not only are they putting themselves and their community in danger, but they are putting themselves at risk of getting into trouble with the police.”
Neighbourhood Inspector Phil Baker, of Northumbria Police, said: “Our blue light colleagues come to work each day to protect their communities and to help people. They regularly face challenging situations – but all-too often this can include needless levels of hostility and violence.
“I want to make it clear that this is totally unacceptable and it is important that anyone who shows such behaviour towards emergency service personnel is brought to justice. Violence should never simply be considered a part of the job – and we will take robust action against the minority found to have been involved in recent incidents.
“Enquiries are ongoing into the events that took place at Farringdon and anyone with information is asked to get in touch with police using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on our website or by calling 101 quoting reference NP-20220711-1104.”
Alan Gallagher, head of risk and regulatory services at North East Ambulance Service, said: “We encourage our ambulance crews to wear body cameras throughout their shift, and support all colleagues in pursuing action against those who choose to abuse our staff or services.”