Yorkshire Ambulance workers suffer almost 800 sexual attacks in recent years

A total of 1,272 violent assaults on workers from Yorkshire Ambulance Serve took place from the financial year 2017/18 to 21/22.

Ambulance workers took to the stage at GMB’s annual congress in Brighton on Sunday to discuss the attacks they face daily, as well as the national NHS strikes they took part in and much needed reform to ambulance worker retirement age.

GMB’s ambulance members successfully changed the law in 2018 when the Assaults Against Emergency Workers (Offences) Act made assaults on ambulance workers an aggravating factor for sentencing.

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: “Ambulance workers across Yorkshire go to work every day to save lives.

“Despite this, thousands of them are bitten, attacked, spat at and even sexually assaulted.

"No one should have to put up with that, least of all those who are there to protect us.

“GMB members helped change the law but more needs to be done.

“We demand full enforcement of the Protect the Protectors legislation, investment in better systems to flag offenders, and much better support for the victims of violence.”

*GMB is a trade union that represents all workers.

It has over 500,000 members who work in every type of job imaginable across public services and in private companies too.

GMB members work in full-time jobs, part-time jobs or are working while they study.

A spokesman said: “GMB’s job is very simple: to get the best deal possible for you. The means being on your side if there is a problem.”