48 ambulance crews attacked since April

Forty-eight frontline staff with the North East Ambulance Service were physically attacked in 2013, while attending incidents where they had been called to help. Another 119 were either threatened or verbally abused. Incidents ranged from paramedics being kicked or punched in the face, to being spat on. The number of assaults is actually nine down on the previous year, and 39 lower than in 2011. However, the North East Ambulance Service say this year's fall is no cause for celebration ...