Exclusive: Record number of physical assaults on Ambulance staff in East
439 were recorded by the East of England Ambulance service in 2025- an over six percent rise on the year before that
Last updated 9th Feb 2026
A local Ambulance worker tells us that he and his colleagues are being threatened at work, nearly every day
It's as we can exclusively reveal there were over 400 physical assaults on staff working for the East of England Ambulance Service, last year. The highest in half a decade.
There's been more than a 6% rise between last year and 2024. This rise increases to over 42% rise between last year's number and those recorded in 2020.
"It comes back and affects me now and again"
Ian Willgress- works in Norwich- and been a victim of physical and sex assaults:
"It's not a true figure of what is really happening out there because a lot of staff don't report every single incident.
"When it happens we try to shake it off, but as time goes on staff do find it more difficult every time that they are subjected to abuse and physical attacks".
"It's been a couple of years since I was sexually assaulted. It comes back and affects me now and again. Especially when I see people displaying those sort of behaviours".
The number of reported incidents of physical assault (by Calendar Years):
2025 – 439
2024 – 412
2023 – 372
2022 – 338
2021 – 356
2020 – 309
(Source: East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust)
"This upcoming decision will enhance that further"
Ali Livingstone, Violence prevention and security specialist for the East of England Ambulance Service:
"We're going to be putting body-worn cameras on all of our ambulances within the next three to six months.
"They're already worn by all of our staff on the frontline and we have very good coverage. But this upcoming decision will enhance that further.
"Although it may not prevent the incident from happening in the first place. It does mean we will have best evidence of what happens and we will always support our staff in looking to take positive action.
"Beyond this we provide our staff with face-to-face conflict resolution training, so they can try and deescalate or manage situations as best as they can.
"It's also important to say that despite the best efforts of our staff, people will act in that unacceptable way towards them".
What's the punishment for assaulting an Ambulance worker or paramedic?
The Home Office says the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 is in place for those who work for the NHS, Police or Fire Services
Updates made to this legislation means the maximum penalties for those found guilty is two years imprisonment for common assault or battery.