'We were really scared': London paramedics assaulted or abused over 2,000 times in a year

London paramedics and ambulance staff experienced more than 2,000 incidents of violence and abuse last year, new figures have revealed.

Data released by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) shows that 2,159 incidents of abuse were recorded in the year up to April 2024.

It is a 40 per cent increase on the 1,525 incidents reported in 2022/23, but LAS sources said the rise also reflects an improvement in reporting levels for the Service.

Incidents included paramedics being attacked with weapons, kicked, punched, sexually assaulted and targeted with verbal abuse.

A total of 1,123 incidents of abuse and violence have been reported between April and September this year.

As of the end of September, the LAS had 574 open or pending investigations with the Metropolitan Police relating to incidents of violence, aggressing and abuse against its staff.

Separate data published by the NHS Staff Survey showed that more than a quarter (27 per cent) of staff had experienced violence and aggression from a member of the public.

Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive of the LAS, told the Standard: “Our clinicians and our call handlers come to work day and night to care for others.

“It is disgraceful that they should face aggression and the shocking scenes in the Ambulance documentary show the profound impact this abuse can have.

“Our people must be safe to do their jobs without fear.”

The LAS recently fitted its ambulances with CCTV, audio recording, panic buttons and new monitors to help protect staff and secure prosecutions against violent patients.

Staff have also been given body-worn cameras to use while on duty.

The scale of abuse faced by London paramedics was highlighted in an episode of BBC One’s Ambulance series, which aired on Thursday evening.

In a harrowing scene, ambulance crews are captured reacting in shock to the screams of a colleague being attacked by a patient on the open radio.

Crewmates David Empson and Lex Gioia were on their way to a woman with breathing difficulties when they heard the distressing sounds of the assault.

David, who works as an Emergency Medical Technician at Homerton Ambulance Station, said: “It was pretty shocking to hear the altercation over the radio and hearing the crews trying to get away from the patient. There was a really worrying period of silence as the teams in the control room tried to reach them on the open channel.

“The crew sounded terrified and we were really scared for them. It was a stark reminder that it could happen to any one of us. It was a horrific start to the day.”

Ms Miller, who waived her right to anonymity, told the Standard last year that she hoped that sharing her story would encourage others to report similar crimes.

She features in the second phase of a campaign launched by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) called #WorkWithoutFear, which highlights the impact of abuse.

In a video released on social media as part of the campaign, Ms Miller says of the assault: “Since it happened, I am quite wary of certain patients and am always aware of the thought it might happen again.”

The campaign is supported by NHS England.

The LAS was the first trust to introduce a dedicated Violence Reduction Unit to support colleagues to report crimes.