PARAMEDICS continue to be assaulted by patients through the pandemic.

South Western Ambulance Service staff have reported 1,747 incidents of violence and aggressions from patients and others.

These figures are from March 24, 2020 to March 23, 2021, they include 515 verbal abuse incidents, 447 aggressive behaviour incidents, and 322 physical assaults.

This is a 33 per cent increase in reported incidents from the previous 12 months.

Paramedic Mike Jones, who is SWASFT’s violence reduction lead, said: “Sadly our people are victim every day to unacceptable behaviour from a minority of patients and other members of the public, while they are serving the communities of the south west and saving lives. Any such incident can have a lasting impact on them, their loved ones, and other colleagues.

“We take whatever is necessary to protect our people from harm, including doing all we can to ensure offenders are prosecuted through the criminal justice system.

“Please respect our people, and help them to help you.”