Ayrshire's emergency services make a collective vow to reduce attacks on officers and staff
Ayrshire’s emergency services have made a collective vow to reduce attacks of violence and verbal abuse on their staff.
They have produced the Ayrshire Assault Pledge which sets out their commitment and marks the beginning of the end of assaults on emergency workers in Ayrshire.
According to the latest figures released by Police Scotland, a total of 450 assaults were recorded on Ayrshire’s emergency workers and the pledge makes it clear that these are not simply part of the job. It also encourages staff to report any form of abuse directed at them and ensures they will be offered the right support if they are affected.
The pledge brings together Ayrshire’s key emergency responders - Police Scotland, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Scottish Ambulance Service, British Transport Police, Scottish Fire and Rescue and Serco.
Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain, Divisional Commander for Ayrshire, said: “Tackling the concerning trend of increasing assaults on officers and staff is a priority for Police Scotland.
"It causes physical and psychological harm to dedicated public servants and there is also a cost to the public purse through days lost to ill health or personal injury claims.
"Officers and staff across Ayrshire work with dedication and a commitment to helping people and violence and abuse against them is not simply part of the job.
Professor Hazel Borland, Interim Chief Executive for NHS Ayrshire & Arran said: “We are delighted to be working alongside our partners across Ayrshire and Arran to highlight that violence and abuse in any form will not be tolerated in the workplace.
“Our staff treat patients, and anyone else we come into contact with as part of our work activity, with dignity and respect and our staff have the right to expect that treatment in return.”
T/Chief Superintendent Gill Murray of British Transport Police added: “Violence and aggression against any emergency service worker is not acceptable and that is why we are working together to make a stand against this.
“Being assaulted will never be seen as part of the job.”
John Burnham is Head of Service of Ayrshire and Arran for the Scottish Ambulance. He said: “Physical and verbal assaults on emergency personnel are totally unacceptable and we fully support this pledge.
“Our staff work incredibly hard, helping people in need and keeping them safe. They should not ever have to fear for their safety."
Pamela Swan, Deputy Director HMP Kilmarnock said: “HMP Kilmarnock is committed to eradicating violence against our workforce. Behaviours of this nature will not be tolerated and in every instance of violence or aggression against our team, we will refer the incident to Police Scotland for action. The wellbeing and safety of all our employees, partner agencies and prisoners is our priority to ensure a safe working environment”.
Ian McMeekin, Local Senior Fire Officer said: “Firefighters, and colleagues from other emergency services and partner organisations, deal with difficult and challenging situations every day to protect our local communities.
“It is important that they can carry out their duties as safely as possible. Being subject to physical attacks, verbal abuse or being spat on is wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated”.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is delighted to stand alongside our local partners to support this pledge and raise an awareness of this concern”.
The local initiative builds on and complements Police Scotland's national Assault Pledge made by Chief Constable Iain Livingstone last August and which was supported by the then Lord Advocate and Cabinet Secretary for Justice.
The Chief Constable's Assault Pledge was developed as part of Police Scotland's Your Safety Matters programme to address a long-term trend of increasing assaults on officers and staff.
A dedicated campaign will launch today, 28 July 2021 to raise awareness of the local initiative and will feature radio ads on West FM and social media messaging across partners’ sites.
