Body cam plan for Shropshire ambulance staff
Ambulance chiefs are considering whether to provide staff with body cameras after the number of attacks on paramedics in the West Midlands surged in the past six months.
A report by the West Midlands Ambulance Service revealed the number of attacks for the six-month period have risen to almost the level which had previously been seen in a whole year.
The figures also showed the attackers made no distinction between men and women. In fact, in the Black Country more female staff were attacked than their male colleagues during the six-month period.
A total of 29 women were assaulted, one more than the number of men.
In October, an ambulance out on a 999 call was targeted by yobs who hurled food at the windscreen from a West Bromwich bridge.
That came after two paramedics were allegedly threatened inside an ambulance in July as they responded to a call in Portobello, Willenhall. Bosses have condemned the attacks on staff and following the concerning rise in assaults are now looking into introducing cameras to capture evidence of incidents while out on a job.
Chief said they were considering taking the step in a bid to tackle the worrying trend of attacks on paramedics and other staff.
The report said: "Following a review of the violence and aggression figures for the six-month period from April 1 to September 30, it is concerning that the number of incidents recorded have exceeded 200 for physical assaults on trust staff.
"Unfortunately, this continues with the ongoing trend of the last few years.
"We are currently researching the use of body-worn CCTV cameras and although there is little evidence from other ambulance trusts that they are considering utilising body-worn CCTV, a risk assessment is being completed."
