NHS Paramedics Get Body Cams As Attacks Surge

Kit will deter violence and increase prosecutions

- Martin Bagot

PARAMEDICS in England will get cameras after attacks on medics surged during the pandemic.

Physical assaults on ambulance crews increased to 3,569 incidents in 2020/21, the NHS Staff Survey found.

This is nearly a third up on five years ago and up from 3,352 the previous year.

The body-worn devices mean more attackers are likely to be prosecuted.

Medics will wear the cameras and be able to press a button to start recording if patients or the public became aggressive or abusive.