Shocking new figures released by the SAS show attacks have increased 11% in the last year.
Paramedics are being subjected to vicious attacks and verbal abuse every day while attending 999 calls according to a shocking new report. Figures released by the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) yesterday show 369 members of staff were physically assaulted or verbally abused between December 2024 and November 2025, an increase of 11 percent on the previous 12 months.
A total of 192 SAS staff were attacked while 177 including 999 call handlers were verbally abused
The assault incidents include staff being spat on, kicked, punched and threatened with weapons.
Regional breakdowns show 155 attack and abuse incidents in the west of Scotland, 146 in the east and 56 in the north. Many of the incidents are due to members of the public having drunk too much.
Drew Dodd, a paramedic based in Chirnside in the Scottish Borders, yesterday described being attacked while attending a call in Edinburgh.
He said: “We were dispatched to an intoxicated male who had fallen and sustained a head injury. Initially, he was pleasant and cooperative. We advised him due to the head injury and level of intoxication he should attend hospital.
“Enroute, the patient suddenly stood up while the vehicle was moving.
“I asked him to sit back down for safety. His demeanour changed rapidly, so I took my radio and initiated an urgent call, anticipating police assistance might be required. As soon as I pressed the button, he punched me in the face, knocking the radio across the vehicle. He then struck me a second time, causing me to fall to the floor. He proceeded to hit me a further three times.”
Drew said for his own safety he had to restrain him whilst his colleague activated the panic alarm and until police arrived.
Last year Araf Saddiq, a Lanarkshire paramedic revealed he had been assaulted five times, and verbally and racially abused countless times while treating and transferring patients. He has suffered a dislocated shoulder, broken ribs and an injured knee.
In 2010 he was attacked by a man in Hairmyres Hospital A&E in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, and was off work for four months. Araf later took a two-year career break after the incident left him with mental health trauma and PTSD.
He said: “You don’t expect the person you are trying to help to turn around, suddenly, and just jump on you and start assaulting you.”
In November the Daily Record revealed how a paramedic was attacked while trying to help a Rangers supporter who fell ill during the League Cup semi final at Hampden in Glasgow between Celtic and Rangers.
An ambulance crew was called around 4pm and it’s claimed one of their staff was attacked while giving first aid.
SAS Chief Executive Michael Dickson added: “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 Scottish Ambulance Service respond to more than 600,000 emergency and 999 calls each year.
