The data from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) shows:

• The number of incidents is already hitting 61% of the previous financial year's total of 19,633 (2023/24) in just six months of 2024/25 (11,817) to end September 2024. At this rate of increase, AACE expects to see reported incidents of violence, aggression and abuse exceed 20,000 for the first time ever across UK ambulance services (including the devolved nations).
• Based upon the current rate of increase, AACE expects to see more than 5,000 incidents reported between the key winter months of December, January and February, with over 2,000 expected in December 2024.
• There has been a significant increase in reported incidents of violence, aggression and abuse against ambulance staff over the past four years. In 2021/22 the total figure was 15,430. In 2022/23 it rose by 2.7% to 15,857 but in 2023/24 the figure rose by 23.8% to 19,633. The data to end September 2024 (half of the 2024/25 financial year) shows recorded incidents hitting 11,817, with a trajectory suggesting reported assaults will exceed 20,000 for the first time ever, a further increase of at least 2%, but most likely higher.
• Alcohol is the most prominent factor in assaults against ambulance staff, followed by drugs and people in mental health crisis. Race and sexuality have also increased as exacerbating factors in these assaults.

Jason Killens, AACE chair and chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, said: ‘It is with huge regret that we see the level of violence, aggression and abuse across all UK ambulance services increasing and that frontline clinical employees as well as call handlers are affected.

‘This unacceptable behaviour has a major long-term impact on the health and wellbeing of ambulance people who are simply trying to do their jobs and help save lives. This is why we are making a plea to the public to ensure that our staff are treated with the respect they deserve, especially during the busy festive period. We are also asking the judiciary to use their full powers under the Assaults on Emergency Workers Offences Act 2018 legislation to ensure appropriate sentences are handed out consistently to those found guilty of committing these crimes against our workforce.'

Anna Parry, managing director of AACE, added: ‘These new figures highlight the upsetting fact that ambulance employees face the very real possibility of being subject to violence or abuse each time they start a shift. This can have a significant and lasting impact on wellbeing and sometimes even lead to people leaving the ambulance service.

‘Our ongoing #WorkWithoutFear campaign is shining a light on this alarming issue and raising awareness of the negative impact of this behaviour on our people, while a significant amount of work is ongoing within ambulance services to help better protect our workforce.'

As a result of the escalation in violence and abusive incidents, NHS ambulance services have prioritised the safety of their people and are undertaking several initiatives alongside the #WorkWithoutFear campaign to try and effect behavioural change among those who might carry out these assaults or become abusive, while providing employees with as much support as possible to reduce the incidence of assaults.

Reaction

Dr Rosie Benneyworth, chief executive at Health Services Safety Investigations Body, said: ‘When we have spoken to staff during our investigations, we have heard just how harmful it is for their wellbeing when they do not feel safe in their working environment.

‘It is important that healthcare organisations support the ambulance service as they undertake this crucial work – implementing proactive safety measures and talking openly to the public to encourage behaviour change are important steps in reducing distressing occurrences of violence and aggression. Ambulance staff should be free to work without fear and focus on providing vital and life-saving care to their patients.'

Unison deputy head of health, Alan Lofthouse, commented: ‘This shocking report shows an alarming rise in incidents that has to be addressed. Tougher consequences and better protection for staff are needed urgently.

‘Ambulance staff who're there to protect the public must be able to work without fear of being assaulted or threatened.'

Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, added: ‘GMB members helped change the law, bringing in the Protect the Protectors legislation, but more needs to be done.

‘We need full enforcement of the Protect the Protectors legislation, investment in better systems to flag offenders, more focus on prevention and much better support for the victims of violence.'