“Party season is no excuse for abuse,” says Chief Paramedic as London Ambulance Service braces for surge in drug and alcohol-related 999 calls

• Two violent attacks on ambulance crews every day in December
• Staff subjected to three verbal attacks or threats a day during festive season
• Paramedic: “unique cruelty in being met with drunken abuse at Christmas”

As alcohol-related 999 calls are expected to surge during the festive season London Ambulance Service is urging the public to drink sensibly and treat our call handlers and crews with respect.

Today begins the last weekend before Christmas when the festive party season is expected to hit its peak.

Figures released by London Ambulance Service today revealed that there were 59 physical attacks and 96 verbally abusive incidents towards its crews and call handlers during December last year.

There were also almost 4,000 alcohol and drug-related calls during December alone last year. Drink was a factor in 2,643 calls and there were 1,154 drug-related calls. This is around 130 drug and alcohol-related calls every day – a number which can treble during weekends in December.

The new data has been released as part of London Ambulance Service’s campaign – All we want for Christmas is… RESPECT – which calls on the public to show respect to those caring for them on the road and in our 999 and 111 control rooms.

Drink and drugs contribute to around 40 per cent of violent incidents against crews and call handlers.

Paramedic Lauren Black, a Clinical Team Manager at Westminster Ambulance Station, regularly responds to calls involving intoxicated people in pubs and on the streets of central London during December.

She said: “We are really busy at this time of year caring for people who genuinely need our help, so there is a unique cruelty in being met with drunken abuse at Christmas.

“While others are out enjoying festive celebrations, our crews are working away from their own families and friends, showing compassion in difficult moments.

“Our crews arrive only to help, and no one deserves to be abused for doing that.”

Chief Paramedic Pauline Cranmer said: “We want people to enjoy themselves this weekend and the rest of the festive season, but there is no excuse for abuse – it is utterly unacceptable to be violent or aggressive towards our crews on the road or over the phone when they are simply doing their job to look after you.

“Our paramedics and call handlers should not have to face this behaviour while working tirelessly to care for the people of London.

“We will work with police to bring prosecutions and push for strong penalties for anyone who assaults or abuses our staff.

“We’re also urging Londoners to celebrate the festive period safely by looking after themselves and using 999 wisely. Please drink responsibly and take care of yourself and others – you don’t want to end your night in the back of an ambulance.”

London Ambulance Service advises Londoners to take sensible precautions before a night out – like having a meal and drinking plenty of water.

It asks the public to only use 999 for a serious medical emergency so ambulances are available for the most seriously ill patients and avoids unnecessary demand on hospitals.

Data released by London Ambulance Service last week show that 53 per cent of its frontline staff have been attacked while on duty, and 562 of them were assaulted three or more times in just 12 months.

The Service’s latest staff survey also found that 44 per cent had been sexually harassed by patients or members of the public.

London was the first ambulance service in the country to set up a Violence Reduction Unit to support colleagues to report crimes and work closely with police to pursue abusers.

All ambulances are fitted with CCTV and audio recording equipment and all crews can opt to wear body worn cameras.