PHYSICAL and verbal assaults on paramedics and ambulance staff are on the rise, figures show.

The statistics released by the North West Ambulance Service show recorded attacks are up by five per cent over the last 12 months to 371.

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NWAS bosses said over the same period verbal abuse and threatening behaviour increased by 27 per cent to 755.

In a bid to raise awareness of the ‘shocking statistics’ the trust has launched a ‘Behind the Uniform’ campaign.

A spokesman for the trust said the objective of the campaign is to ‘highlight that the trust’s staff are people just like everyone else with homes, friends and families and that these acts can be hurtful both physically and mentally and will not be tolerated’.

NWAS chief executive Derek Cartwright said: “There is nothing worse than being told that one of our staff has been attacked while trying to do their job and hearing the views of their children really brings it home.

“Our staff are not just paramedics, technicians, dispatchers or 111 Health Advisors, they are mums, dads, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. There is more to them than a uniform or voice on the telephone and for them to have to go home to their families hurt or upset is not acceptable.”

The trust has set up a dedicated group to tackle the issue of violence and aggression against staff.

Staff have also been given booklets advising them on what to do if they are verbally or physically assaulted and encouraging them to report all incidents, no matter how minor, so they can be logged and, if necessary, a warning placed on the assailant’s address.

Mr Cartwright said: “We will be making a concentrated effort to encourage our staff to report all incidents of verbal or physical aggression, and where appropriate, to request that police investigate all reported cases. We are looking at how we can improve training and learning amongst senior managers in how to support staff in such cases.” so they feel that they have the full support of the trust behind them.”