Shrewsbury ambulance attack is branded 'diabolical'

The attacked happened as the vehicle pulled up at Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crew had been responding to a call to treat an assault victim, but were forced to flee the scene and call police.

This afternoon West Midlands Ambulance Service revealed that another of its ambulanced had been attacked, this time in Warwickshire.

Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, said that he was shocked by the news of the Shropshire attack.

"This is just absolutely diabolical behaviour," he said.

"One can only hope that the perpetrators were caught on CCTV and will be brought to court – and sentenced according to the seriousness of the crime.

"I'm sure people throughout Shrewsbury will be outraged that this has happened."

Shropshire Star readers joined the condemnation of the behaviour on Facebook.

Shelagh Jenkinson said: "Bloody disgraceful. Paramedics do a wonderful job. What the hell is wrong with people?" Sonja Lloyd described the attack as "mindless", while Carol Anne Morris agreed, saying: "This is awful, it should not be happening in our county town and will stretch the ambulance service even more with one out of action. Just hope the offenders are caught!"

Carrie Mullinder added: "Disgusting. If it costs someone a loved one it's on their heads. One day they may be in need of these amazing people and their ambulance – shame they can't pick and choose who they treat."

Hal Puente said: "I hope the offender who punched the window through needed medical attention and was forced to wait because an ambulance wasn't available."

Sara Mottershead commented: "Omg, what a sick and twisted thing to do," while Peter Booth said: "We hope the paramedics are ok. Let's get the scumbag locked up for a long time."

Steve Warrender added: "If this is what they do to people who are trying to help, I'd hate to see what they do to the people they don't like!"

Two people attacked the vehicle in the early hours of Sunday morning just after the vehicle had pulled up having been called to treat an assault victim at Castle Gates, Shrewsbury.

West Midlands Ambulance staff, Shrewsbury residents and councillors have expressed their disgust at the attack, which happened at 3.30am.

Before the crew had even got out of the vehicle, the pair approached the ambulance and one punched the rear side window so hard that it smashed.

Adrian Ball, West Midlands Ambulance Service area manager, said: "This is an incredibly disappointing case which means we have an ambulance off the road and unable to respond to 999 calls whilst it's being repaired.

"Thankfully my staff weren't hurt but they were understandably upset by the incident.

"The case was immediately reported to West Mercia Police, which is now commencing an investigation.

"Ambulance staff are here to help people in an emergency. Attacking our staff and vehicles is an abhorrent crime, which we take an incredibly dim view of."

West Midlands Ambulance Service today said another vehicle was vandalised in Warwickshire on the same day.

The bumper of an ambulance was prised off on one side while a crew was inside a property in Alcester.