Calls for tougher sentences as attacks on ambulance crews continue
Paramedic says assaults are still not being properly prosecuted despite changes in guidance
A paramedic in the West Midlands is renewing calls for tougher sentences for those who assault emergency workers, warning that current measures are still falling short.
Dan Knight, a paramedic and head of security, says while there have been some improvements in how cases are handled, too many incidents are not resulting in charges.
“We are campaigning continuously for tougher punishments for individuals who assault ambulance workers,” he said.
He pointed to changes in guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service and the Ministry of Justice last year, which aimed to ensure stronger charges are used in these cases.
“We have seen an increase in the number of prosecutions that we've had, but it's not enough,” he said. “We are still seeing a significant number of assault cases that are either not being pushed forward or are not being issued with any form of charges at all.”
Knight says the impact on staff is significant, with frustration growing among frontline workers.
“You can understand why they’re frustrated and why they either don’t want to carry on or continue,” he said.
Efforts to improve safety, including the use of body-worn cameras, are ongoing — but he says there are challenges in balancing protection with patient care.
“There is a very fine balance between them impacting patient care… because ultimately we’re there for our patients,” he explained. “We’re continually assessing what more we can do to protect our staff.”
He also stressed the importance of cooperation with police when incidents occur.
“We’re working with our colleagues to ensure they are available and do respond when our staff need them,” he said.
Knight had a clear message for the public:
“You’ve called us for assistance, you’ve called us for help — so treat us with the same level of respect that you would expect us to treat you.
“We’re not there to be abused, we’re not there to be assaulted. We’re there to help.”
Last year, the CPS updated its guidance on these cases to ensure serious assaults face the weightiest charges