Shropshire paramedics suffered repeated attacks from thugs as they answered emergency calls over Christmas, figures showed today.

Ambulance crews across Shropshire and the West Midlands were physically attacked 15 times over the festive period, with a further 22 incidents of verbal abuse on 999 call-outs.

It brings the grim total to 45 assaults and 104 cases of verbal abuse for the six-month period from July to December since the new Trust was set up.

Bosses say people who attack their staff will face “the full weight of the law” and no more attacks will be tolerated.

Trust chief executive Anthony Marsh said: “I am absolutely appalled by these figures. I find it difficult to put into words my disgust at the people who attack our staff.

“Staff join the ambulance service to help others whether that person is injured or in trouble. The job they do is difficult enough without being left in fear of their lives.

Spat

“The reality of the situation is that crews are punched, kicked, scratched and spat at on an increasingly regular basis. Others have been left in a state of fear, threatened with weapons and even been told that they will be killed.

“Until recently many staff didn’t bother to report instances like these believing there was nothing that could be done. To me that is no longer acceptable. Make no mistake; this Trust will do everything it can to bring the full weight of the law to bear on anyone who assaults a member of staff.”

He added: “I will be writing to the three chief constables in our region and each of the chairmen of the magistrates court benches asking for their support. We are also working with the NHS Security Management Service which can prosecute people through the civil courts.”

By Tom Warren