Violent assaults against ambulance workers have reached an all-time high across the UK, prompting urgent action from AACE on behalf of its members.
In a direct appeal to senior UK decision-makers, AACE Chair Jason Killens wrote to health ministers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to call for new national policy interventions to better protect ambulance staff from violence, aggression and abuse.
All four ministers subsequently confirmed their willingness to meet:
- Karyn Smyth, Minister of State for Health (England)
- Jeremy Miles, Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care (Wales)
- Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health & Women’s Health (Scotland)
- Mike Nesbitt, Minister for Health (Northern Ireland)
This collective response signals recognition of the seriousness of the issue, and the need for new, innovative and coordinated solutions.
Alarming data
Latest AACE figures reveal that the fourteen UK ambulance services recorded 22,536 reported incidents of violence and abuse in 2024-25, a rise of almost 15% from the previous year.
That equates to 62 ambulance colleagues abused every single day, nearly three every hour.
Incidents include:
- Kicking, punching, slapping, head-butting.
- Spitting, verbal abuse, and sexual assault.
- Attacks involving weapons.
And these are just the reported cases – many assaults go unrecorded.
Disturbingly, data shows:
- Female ambulance staff are three times more likely than the NHS average to be assaulted at work.
- Male ambulance staff are twice as likely.
The March 2025 NHS staff survey adds further concern:
- 38% of frontline ambulance staff experienced physical violence in the past year.
- Only 76% of those incidents were reported.
- 52% experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from patients or the public
Jason Killens, AACE Chair and Chief Executive of London Ambulance Service, said:
These figures are truly shocking. This abuse harms the wellbeing of dedicated ambulance people who are simply trying to help others, whether on the frontline or in control rooms.
We must act urgently to protect them. That’s why we’re engaging UK health ministers directly and urging the judiciary to apply the full weight of the law against perpetrators.
A promising development
In May, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) strengthened its guidance to prosecutors, urging them to consider all available offences when charging attacks against emergency workers. This is important because:
- Prosecutors can now select charges that better reflect the severity of assaults.
- This can lead to faster justice – as serious summary offences may be dealt with in magistrates’ courts, avoiding long Crown Court delays.
- Victim impact statements will play a greater role in charging decisions.
- Where evidence supports it, charges like ABH and GBH can now be pursued more readily.
Anna Parry, Managing Director of AACE, welcomed the changes:
We hope these guidelines will result in more perpetrators receiving appropriate sentences, and far faster than is often the case now.
Delayed justice leaves many of our people unable to heal, move forward and find closure, as they wait for justice to take its course.
Anna also spoke to BBC Breakfast News on Sunday 20 July about the unacceptable levels of violence and abuse faced by our paramedic colleagues.
What happens next?
AACE will continue to engage with health ministers across the UK to explore additional deterrents and support measures.
Protecting our people must remain a top priority. The rising tide of violence demands not only condemnation but meaningful change. We stand together – for safety, for justice, and for the right to work without fear.
For more information about national violence prevention and reduction initiatives, please contact adam.hopper@aace.org.uk
