SHOCKING figures show that Merseyside emergency services staff have reported more than 1,000 incidents of violence and aggression in the last five years.

The figures, released by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) as part of it's new '#GetBehind999' campaign show that between April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2018 1,059 incidents had been reported by Merseyside NWAS staff which includes call centre, emergency service, 111 and patient transport.

Out of the 1,059 incidents reported there were 280 assaults, 10 sexual assaults, 19 with weapons, 12 were racially abused and 19 were threatened with a knife.

Now NWAS are urging people to support its campaign in condemning acts of violence and aggression against all emergency service staff.

Interim chief executive Mick Forrest said: “Today, we will be joined by colleagues from the fire and police services and NWAS staff who have been victims of violence and aggression in launching our #getbehind999 campaign.

“Staff will be sharing their experiences via a short film and we will be sharing their stories on the day and throughout the next fortnight on social media to highlight what is a growing problem.”

Across the North West there has been a rise in incidents of physical, verbal abuse and threatening behaviour - in 2013/14 trust staff reported 939 incidents and in 2017/18 that figure stood 1,249.

As part of #GetBehind999, NWAS will be providing pubs and clubs with posters and beer mats and certificates will be available for those who sign the pledge.

Mick said: “This is a problem which affects us all. If an ambulance crew are attacked while out on the road, they need to come off duty.

"They might need treatment, or to provide the police with statements and this takes a vital resource off the road and unable to respond to an emergency.

“One of my worst fears as Interim Chief Executive is that I am going to be woken in the night to be informed of the death or life changing injury of a colleague because of an assault.

"I cannot imagine what it must be like to have to manage a situation like that and I sincerely hope I never have to.”

In September the introduction of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 came into force which doubles maximum sentence from six to 12 months in prison for assaulting an emergency services worker.

This law will also mean that judges can consider tougher sentences for different offences such as GBH and sexual assault.

Mick added: “Our staff are not just paramedics, technicians, dispatchers or 111 health advisors – they are mums, dads, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, sons and daughters.

"There is more to them than a uniform or voice on the telephone and for them to have to go home to their families hurt or upset is not acceptable.

“Please pledge your support and sign now, show our staff you are behind them. It will mean a great deal to them to know that the public they serve are taking a stand against this kind of behaviour. It must stop now.”

The pledge is available on the trust’s website www.nwas.nhs.uk and if you represent a group, club or business and would like to publicly pledge your support and receive a certificate for doing so, please contact communications@nwas.nhs.uk