A campaigning councillor and former policeman has hit out at people who assault emergency workers after a committee heard they are still being targeted.
Independent cllr Donald L Reid spoke after North Ayrshire Police and Fire and Rescue Committee heard common assaults on emergency workers (including police) was showing a 6.5 per cent increase on last year, from July 1 until September 30 and a 20.8 per cent increase on the five-year average.
The Garnock Valley member said: “Is there anything else we can do in terms of police coverage when ambulance men and other workers are picking up someone who is violent, drunk or under the influence of drugs.
“It’s ridiculous that people serve the community and end up being assaulted. It’s bad news, quite honestly.”
Chief Superintendent Raymond Higgins told the committee: “From July 1 until September 30, in terms of emergency workers there were 53 assaults on our own officers, 13 of them resulted in injury treatment for punches, kicks, bites and dental treatment.
“We do an awful lot of work with the Fire Service and Scottish Ambulance Service and continually share information to make sure that we have appropriate markers of individuals who have previously indicated violence towards emergency workers.
“We also try to make sure we are pro-active in messaging, both with our campus officers in schools on the impact of assaults on emergency officers.
“I really can’t wait for the delivery of body-worn videos as that will assist us in a criminal justice outcome as a significant deterrent because of what my officers face along with Ambulance and Fire Service workers. It shouldn’t be that they are going to their work and are spat on and punched and had dental work done.”
Body Worn Video is set to be introduced early next year.
It will mean small, lightweight cameras which are visibly fitted to an officer’s uniform (usually on the chest).
The camera can be switched on and off by the officer to record both audio and video footage. Body Worn Video is for use when officers are responding to an incident.
It is routine to inform the public when we are using body worn video cameras.
Where operationally viable, a camera is not turned on unless the member of the public is made aware by the police officer.
That will continue to be the policy wherever possible.
It will not be used covertly or for surveillance purposes.
Don’t miss the latest Ayrshire headlines –sign up to our free daily newsletter