London Ambulance medics get body-cameras in bid to reduce risk of assault

529 attacks on frontline crews in less than a year and 18 assailants jailed
LAS medic Gary Watson: “We get up every day to help people, not to be severely beaten.”
LAS
Ross Lydall @RossLydall23 February 2021

Hundreds of ambulance crews in London today began wearing body cameras in a bid to reduce their risk of assault.

The initiative came as emerged that frontline crews had reported 529 violent incidents between last April and January, and 18 attackers had been jailed.

The number of attacks has increased sharply since the first lockdown and now number about 60 a month, though many more are thought to go unreported.

Incidents since April include 31 assaults with weapons and attacks involving kicking, punching, head-butting, biting and spitting, plus 834 incidents of verbal abuse or threats.

More than 200 medics working out of Croydon, South Croydon, Edmonton and Chase Farm stations – “hotspot” areas for attacks - will be the first to wear the cameras.

The second phase will provide 226 cameras to crews in Greenwich, Barnehurst, Whipps Cross, Newham and West Ham.

Body cameras being issued to London Ambulance medics
LAS

Medics can press a button to start recording if patients or members of the public become aggressive or abusive.

Gary Watson, 33, an emergency medic at Croydon ambulance station, will be among the first people to wear one. He was violently assaulted by a drunk patient three years ago and suffered a torn ligament and serious injuries to his face, throat and neck.

He said: “We need these cameras. We get up every day to help people, not to be severely beaten.

“Wearing these cameras should act as a deterrent and if it doesn’t then at least there will be evidence which will hopefully mean tougher sentences for criminals.”

Two other medics were injured in the same attack and a fourth badly shaken. A man was found guilty but given a suspended sentence.

Since April, 27 people have been prosecuted for attacks on LAS medics and 18 jailed. About half of attacks are described as “no harm or near miss” incidents.

About one in 12 typically involve the attack coming from people other than the patient, such as a family member or bystander.

About half of the attackers have mental health issues, a psychiatric disorder or are on medication. The bulk of the others were drunk or on drugs.

LAS has recruited two violence reduction officers and launched the #NotPartoftheJob campaign, as part of its ongoing work to protect staff and volunteers.

Louise Murray, violence reduction officer, said: “Any video footage recorded on our cameras can be used as evidence and in turn we hope it will help to secure more prosecutions.”

Recent legislation means anyone found guilty of attacking emergency services staff and volunteers can be jailed for 12 months. Those convicted of more serious cases of assault can face up to two years in prison.

LAS chief executive Garrett Emmerson said: “Looking after our people, keeping them safe and supporting their wellbeing is our top priority. 

“It is shameful that our staff and volunteers can be abused while caring for others and we will always push for the prosecution of anyone who attacks them.”

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