1,600 Physical Assaults Recorded Against Ambulance Staff As UK Battled COVID -19

Investigation according to Sky News found more than 1,600 physical assaults against ambulance staff were recorded between January and July as the country battled the COVID-19 crisis - the equivalent of more than seven attacks every day.

Ambulance workers in the UK have been subjected to hundreds of violent attacks during the coronavirus pandemic including an increase in sexual assaults, new figures have revealed.

At least 149 sexual assaults on ambulance workers have taken place so far this year, as well as a rise in vandal attacks on ambulances and more than 2,000 verbal abuse incidents against crews, according to data released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Many of the incidents involved weapons including firearms, knives, baseball bats, razor blades and a stun gun, ambulance trusts revealed.

In July, paramedics Deena Evans and Michael Hipgrave were seriously injured after being stabbed during a callout to a home in Wolverhampton.

A man is due to stand trial next year accused of wounding with intent over the incident.

In another incident, two ambulance workers were treated in hospital for a dislocated thumb, chest and arm injuries after being assaulted while trying to treat a man in Coleshill, Warwickshire, this happened in August.