Abuse of ambulance staff reaching record levels
The amount of violence, assault, and other forms of abuse against ambulance staff in the UK has reached the highest levels on record. Health leaders described the findings as “horrendous” and truly shocking.”
In 2024-25, there were 22,536 recorded incidents of abuse, aggression, and violence directed towards paramedics and other ambulance staff. That is a 15% increase on the 19,633 recorded in 2023-24, according to data from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE).
This means that on average, every week sees those responding to emergency calls are subject to 433 attacks, including hitting, spitting, and even sexual assaults. Senior ambulance officials believe that the true figures are likely even higher as many incidents are unreported. Female members of staff are more likely to be subject to this kind of abuse.
“These figures are truly shocking and reflect a pattern of increased violence, aggression and abuse directed at hard-working ambulance people who are there to help people in their times of greatest need, Jason Killens, the AACE chair, said. “Frontline staff as well as call handlers are affected by this horrendous abuse, and 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.”
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