200 attacks on emergency services which cover Hartlepool during first three lockdown months

Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade and North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) have all seen a rise in assaults on workers from March through to May this year.

Police saw a total of 151 assaults on officers during this period, rising from 41 in March to 49 in April and then 61 in May, an increase of 75% compared to 2019.

Some of these assaults saw officers physically injured and not being able to carry out their duties.

Cleveland Fire Brigade also saw 13 incidents during March, April and May, including a tree trunk thrown through the windscreen of a fire engine and bricks aimed at crews as they tackled a garden fire that threatened to spread to other properties.

North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) staff based in Cleveland reported at least 27 incidents during March, April, May and June.

Bosses said just last weekend three crews were subject to ‘appalling and despicable attacks’ when they responded to 999 calls, leaving one staff member in urgent need for medical care.

Deputy chief executive at NEAS, Paul Liversidge, said attacks due to drink and drug-related issues are a particular concern, along with the impact on staff mental health when combined with Covid-19 pressures.

He said: “The NHS and NEAS has been under an enormous amount of pressure and strain dealing with coronavirus for the last four months.

“Our crews and staff are tired and I am concerned for the longer-term implications of this pandemic on their mental health.

“For our staff to have been put under such increasing pressure because of an increase in drink and drug related calls has become a real concern. We are still dealing with a coronavirus pandemic, which the sensible majority is helping the NHS to tackle.

“But the acts of a foolish minority have now spilled over to violence and these people need to be swiftly and appropriately dealt with so that they do not put any others of my staff in any danger.”

Cleveland Fire Brigade chiefs raised similar concerns, adding incidents can prevent firefighters and their vehicles from being able to attend emergencies.

Assistant chief fire officer and director of community protection Carl Boasman said: “Our firefighters, along with our colleagues in other emergency services do a fantastic job in protecting the local community and saving lives.

“It’s completely unacceptable for emergency service workers to be subject to violence, aggression or acts of vandalism whilst protecting the public.

“The fact that our job is made even more difficult by the thoughtless actions of a minority is hard to believe and will not be tolerated.”

He added they will be working with the police to identify anyone responsible.

Cleveland Police officers also said such attacks are ‘unacceptable’ and hit out at how officers have been ‘spat at, bitten, punched and kicked’.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Graham said: ““It is entirely unacceptable that any emergency service workers have to put up with being assaulted when they go to work and put their lives on the line to protect others.

“For every officer injured, that’s someone else that they may not be able to protect and this could have a detrimental impact on our local communities.

“It will not be tolerated and anyone who thinks it is ok to assault any emergency service workers in this way will be put before the courts wherever possible.”

He also welcomed calls to increase the jail term for those who commit such acts, as mentioned by the Home Secretary earlier this week.

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