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The Chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) has called for national intervention to stem violent incidents against ambulance staff, which new data shows has hit an all-time high.
Jason Killens, who is the Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, wrote to the ministers responsible for ambulance services in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland seeking to explore what further national policy interventions could be developed to help combat the growing number of violent assaults against UK ambulance people.
It comes after new AACE data shows UK ambulance services now have the highest rate of reported incidents of violence, aggression and abuse directed at their people ever recorded – with 22,536 incidents across the fourteen UK ambulance services in the 2024-25 financial year, an increase of almost 15% on the previous year.
This means that every single day, at least 62 ambulance people will be abused or attacked – almost three an hour – with reported incidents including kicking, punching, slapping, head-butting, spitting, verbal abuse and sexual assault, and ranging from common assault to significant serious attacks involving a multitude of weapons.
“We know that on top of this many assaults also go unreported, so the true figure is higher. Worryingly, female ambulance workers are three times more likely than the NHS average to be subject to assault at work and male ambulance workers twice the NHS average.”
Jason Killens, AACE Chair and Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust.
These concerning statistics come after the March 2025 publication of the NHS Staff Survey which revealed that 38% of frontline operational NHS ambulance staff have been physically attacked or been the victim of physical violence at work in the last 12 months, but only 76% reported it to their NHS trust managers – meaning many people do not even report these assaults. Additionally, 52% of frontline operational NHS ambulance staff said they experienced at least one incident of harassment, bullying or abuse from patients / service users, their relatives or other members of the public.
‘Alcohol the most prominent factor’
The data from AACE reveals that the summer months were when the most incidents of violence and aggression were reported, with summer 2024 recording the highest number of incidents on record, with 6,093 reported. Alcohol is the most prominent factor in assaults against ambulance staff, followed by drugs and people in mental health crisis. Race and sexuality have also increased as exacerbating factors in these assaults.
As a result, AACE is using spring – when incidents traditionally start to escalate – as an opportunity to highlight the profound impact of this abuse on the everyday lives of ambulance staff, while encouraging the small minority of people who might commit these offences to have greater respect for the people who are trying to help them when they are most in need.
“These figures are truly shocking and reflect a pattern of increased violence, aggression and abuse directed at hard-working ambulance people who are there to help people in their times of greatest need. Frontline staff as well as call handlers are affected by this horrendous abuse and this unacceptable behaviour has a major long-term impact on the health and wellbeing of ambulance people who are simply trying to do their jobs and help save lives.
“This situation is now so serious that we are seeking to engage with UK health ministers at the highest level to explore new interventions that could help deter potential perpetrators of these attacks. We would also underline again that it is vital that the judiciary uses all available legislation to ensure appropriate sentences are handed out consistently to those found guilty of committing these horrific crimes against our workforce.”
Jason Killens, AACE Chair and Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust.
‘Deeply concerning’
Rory Deighton, acute director at the NHS Confederation, said: “It is deeply concerning that there has been a 15 per cent increase in the reporting of violent incidents against ambulance staff. It is unacceptable and can have a significant impact on staff health and wellbeing.
“The safety of all NHS staff is non-negotiable. Everyone should be able to go to work without the fear that they might be attacked or assaulted while doing their job.
“After one of the toughest winters for the ambulance service we’ve seen in years, we cannot have a summer with yet another spike in cases of violence faced by crews when they are responding to and helping those most in need in life-threatening emergencies every single day.”
Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive, NHS Providers, said: “Ambulance and NHS staff, doing their best for patients, must be able to go about their often life-saving work without fear of attack.
“Staff safety is a top priority for NHS trust leaders. There must be zero tolerance for any violence or aggression against NHS workers.
“It’s intolerable that ambulance staff – nowadays given body-worn cameras in an effort to reduce attacks – are assaulted or intimidated when trying to treat people, often in life-threatening situations, or get them to hospital as quickly as possible, putting them and patients at risk.
“It’s a real concern that many assaults go unreported and that female ambulance workers are at particular risk.”
In an upcoming episode of our For Every Response podcast, Lanna Deamer interviews Adam Hopper, National Ambulance Violence Prevention and Reduction Operational Lead at AACE, about the issue of violence against ambulance staff. Keep an eye out for it next month.
