Northern Ireland ambulance workers have started using body-worn cameras in a bid to reduce violent attacks.
A small number of staff are trialling the devices, similar to those used by the PSNI, against a backdrop of rising physical and verbal attacks.
The trial, involving an ambulance station in East Belfast, comes after crews have in the last five years been attacked with weapons including a tomahawk hatchet, knuckle-duster, snooker balls, carpet knife and many more weapons, according to the NIAS.
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The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service says 2021/2022 figures show their workers are facing “around 13 acts of aggression” per week with little sign of the situation improving.
It is understood the devices will only be switched on when an ambulance worker feels the need to do so. Ambulance Service sources say there have been reductions in violent attacks of up to 25% in other parts of the UK where the body-cams have been introduced.
Mark Cochrane, Assistant Director of Operations with the NIAS, said increasing attacks were behind the decision to introduce body-worn-cameras.
He added: “The unacceptable nature and increasing frequency of assaults on our crews has necessitated us introducing a pilot of body worn cameras in the Belfast area where most attacks take place. We would hope that the visibility of the cameras and the warning from staff that the camera may be switched on will act as a deterrent to those who may be prone to engaging in this activity.
“But we must stress that we will not hesitate to use any footage that may help a prosecution of such people. It is unfortunate that the actions of a small few have brought us to this point and we are confident that we have the support of the general public in regards to the introduction of such measures to protect our staff.”
NIAS figures show that 60% of assaults on ambulance staff occur in the Belfast area. Following a review of the pilot, consideration will be given to rolling the initiative out across all stations, the NIAS says.
Details of attacks held by the Ambulance Service show that over the last five years crews have physically assaulted with items including a knuckle-duster, syringe, sledgehammer, glass bottle, stones, ashtray, crowbar, desk fan, snooker cue and balls, 02 cylinder, bag of cement, tomahawk hatchet, cups, scissors, fire extinguisher, Stanley knife, razor blades and hammer.
As well as physical attacks, the NIAS says crews are also subjected to threats including people using dogs to intimidate staff and being held against their will in homes. During the pandemic staff have also been spat at by people claiming to be have Covid.
An Ambulance Service spokesman said the NIAS “has a duty of care to both its service users and its staff and in recent years we have witnessed increased levels of aggression, violence and harm caused to our staff while on duty”.
They added: “This has been manifested in both physical assaults (e.g. of an extremely violent or sexual nature) and/or non-physical assaults (including verbal assault and personal abuse).
“This abuse is unacceptable and unfortunately despite efforts to curb violence and aggression against NIAS staff, incidents have continued to increase. It has substantial and long-term impacts on the physical and psychological wellbeing of staff. This ongoing issue has serious, long term impacts on the Trust’s ability and capacity to deliver its services.
“It has substantial and long-term impacts on the physical and psychological wellbeing of staff. It can cause major impediments to the urgent provision of immediate care by NIAS staff in emergency scenarios. After significant consideration and engagement with staff, unions, and partner agencies, NIAS believes in principle that the introduction of BWV is a proportionate and reasonable proposal to help reduce harm to staff, and to assist in due process investigation and if necessary prosecution of offenders.
“NIAS consulted on the principle of the introduction of BWV between 6th December 2021 and the 14th February 2022 and has now moved to the second phase of the consultation, which includes a pilot at Bridge Ambulance Station and with a number of Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers (HALOs) during July 2022. The deadline for response to the second phase of the consultation is Friday 5 August 2022.”
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