Staff working for the Scottish Ambulance Service are facing daily violence and verbal abuse while responding to emergencies, with new figures revealing a sharp rise in assaults on frontline crews.
During 2024 to 2025, 369 Scottish Ambulance Service staff were physically assaulted or verbally abused, an increase of 11 per cent compared to the previous year, meaning on average at least one member of staff is attacked or abused every day.
Nearly 200 staff members were physically injured while on duty, with incidents including being spat on, kicked, punched, and threatened with weapons, and the majority of reported assaults taking place in the east and west of Scotland.
One of those affected was Gillian Sommerville, a technician based at Leven Station in Fife, who described a violent incident while responding to a call during a night shift.
She said:
“When we arrived, there were also three other males in their mid-teens who appeared to be under the influence of unknown alcohol or drugs and were confrontational.
“Due to the freezing temperatures, we quickly lifted the patient in the vehicle.
“The three friends then started shouting and banging on the ambulance and rocking the vehicle.
“Minutes later, the back door and side door were opened and two of the friends jumped in shouting at us.
“I was wedged at the top of the trolley as the third friend tried to grab me through the window.
“I tried to continually push him off.
“My partner was stuck between two of the friends near the back of the vehicle and they were shouting in her face.”
As the situation escalated further, Gillian said that when the patient regained consciousness his friends attempted to drag him off the trolley, forcing her to call for urgent police assistance.
Gillian, who suffered an injury to her arm and required several months of physiotherapy, said three of the men were arrested and the patient later assaulted a police officer while in hospital.
The Scottish Ambulance Service has warned that repeated exposure to violence and abuse can have a lasting impact on staff wellbeing and retention across the service.
Chief Executive Michael Dickson said:
“The fact that our staff face daily violence, verbal abuse or aggression is completely unacceptable.
“These incidents can have a significant and lasting impact on our people, sometimes even leading them to leave the ambulance service.
“They have the right to carry out their work helping patients and saving lives without fear of assault or abuse and we will continue to work with Police Scotland, like we have done on this occasion, to take action against perpetrators.”
The figures come as emergency services continue to face sustained pressure, with crews frequently attending complex situations involving alcohol, drugs and heightened public distress.
Staff and unions have repeatedly called for stronger public awareness and a clear message that violence against emergency workers will not be tolerated.
