The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is urging the public to respect staff as cases of abuse continue to rise.

Shockingly, more than 2,300 incidents of abuse against ambulance staff were  recorded in 2023, with 531 physical assaults, 913 incidents of aggression, and 863 cases of verbal abuse. 

The figures reveal a significant increase in abuse cases, as the total number of incidents for the year 2020-21 was 1,247; in 2016-17, the number of incidents was under 1,000. 

EEAST chief executive Tom Abell said: “Our people working on the frontline and in our call-handling centres were available throughout the holiday season.

"If people need us, they should not hesitate to call, but even during times of heightened stress, we ask that you treat our staff with courtesy and respect.” 

Andrew Benson, leading operations manager at EEAST, who oversees operational ambulance crews in Suffolk, recently voiced his concern about the increasing number of ambulance staff members who have been taken off duty due to physical or mental trauma resulting from assaults.

"It's unfortunate that we have seen a shift in the number of attacks on our staff," he stated. 

Mr Benson has attended incidents to support staff who have been sexually assaulted by a patient and staff who have been forced to activate their emergency buttons due to aggression, abuse, and physical assaults.   

Following an incident in Ipswich, one of Andrew’s team sustained severe physical injuries and emotional trauma, resulting in long-term sick leave.

Another crew member also required time off for emotional support.   

Mr Benson said the message is simple: “If you call 999 and you need our services, we will be there to care for you. If you abuse our staff, we will seek a prosecution wherever possible and the strongest penalties.”