Northern Ireland

Body cameras for ambulance staff welcomed following rise in assaults

There are 13 'acts of aggression' on ambulance staff each week in the north.
There are 13 'acts of aggression' on ambulance staff each week in the north. There are 13 'acts of aggression' on ambulance staff each week in the north.

AMBULANCE staff wearing body cameras should send a "clear message of zero tolerance" on violence towards paramedics, a spokesman for the service has said.

The NI Ambulance Service is piloting a scheme in Belfast for staff to wear cameras following an increase in attacks.

The service estimates there are 13 "acts of aggression" each week.

A spokesman said some assaults have been "of an extremely violent or sexual nature" and are affecting the "physical and psychological wellbeing of staff".

SDLP MLA and health spokesman Colin McGrath said: "The wearing of body-worn cameras will both dissuade people from attacking ambulance service staff in the first place, while also helping prosecute anyone who does attack or mistreat our staff and sends a clear message of zero tolerance on this issue."