Emergency workers in Wales have revealed some of the shocking verbal abuse being levelled at staff.
There were 1,964 incidents of verbal abuse against Welsh emergency workers between April 2019 and December 2023, new data has revealed.
More than a third (37 per cent) of the victims were police workers, while more than half (52 per cent) were medical workers.
Among them is Abbie Williams, a Welsh Ambulance Service call taker supervisor in Cwmbran, who recalls how one man threatened to dismember her.
Abbie said: “The first abusive call I remember was in COVID-19 when the caller said he’d cut me up into pieces, even going into detail about which body part he’d start with and what tools he’d use to do it.
“He described in graphic detail how he’d murder me – that one will always stay with me.
“Other callers have said they hope I crash my car on the way home, or that I never get to see my family again.
“I do understand that emotions are heightened when you or your loved one is ill, but we’re trying our best to help you.
“Sometimes the calls are in quick succession so you’re going from one abusive call to another, or worse, a traumatic call when someone has died.
“Those have a cumulative effect and you get more upset and triggered.
“I don’t think people realise how much it impacts our mental health.
“Their words could be going around in your head for weeks.
“You do become more resilient with experience, but we’re losing a lot of good call takers because of this.
“We’re doing this job because we want to help people, and we’re all trying our best.
“Please be kind.”
Emma Worrall, a 999 call taker in Llangunnor, recalls how one man threatened to stab her.
She said: “When I started this role four years ago, verbal abuse was rare, but now it’s a daily occurrence, especially if there are long waits for an ambulance.
“It’s to the point now where we actually celebrate those callers who are pleasant and thank us for the great work we do.
“When you tell someone it might be 6-8 hours for an ambulance, it’s like the flick of a switch. “One caller said he was going to stab me in the neck as I left work.
“The other occasion which sticks in my mind is being called a ‘c**t’ by an elderly woman.
“We understand that these are patients having the worst day of their life, but that doesn’t mean we should bear the brunt of their frustration when we’re only trying to help.
“It’s hard to then put that aside and be calm and compassionate for the next caller, so you’re constantly on edge.”
Jason Killens, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “Stories of physical abuse towards frontline ambulance crews are all too familiar, but control room staff also receive horrid verbal abuse on a daily basis.
“Call takers are the first person you interact with when you call 999 for an ambulance.
“They play an important role in gathering vital information to arrange the best help quickly, but shouting, swearing and threats will only delay that help. “That’s not to mention the devastating and long-term emotional impact it can have on call takers, some of whom have no choice but to leave the role.
“We understand that when people call us, they might be frightened, in shock and upset, but that’s not an excuse to abuse our staff.
“If you ever need to call 999 or 111, please be courteous and treat our people with respect.”
In 2021, emergency services in Wales launched their With Us, Not Against Us campaign in a bid to reduce assaults.
Pam Kelly, Chief Constable of Gwent Police, said: “Nobody should expect to be assaulted – either physically or verbally – when they go to work, whether you work for the emergency services or otherwise. “It saddens me to hear of these terrible encounters that my staff and those across the emergency services have experienced when they were assaulted by the public in the line of duty.
“This behaviour makes our roles more challenging, and we will support any officer or emergency service worker who has experienced this disgraceful abuse while also taking firm actions against those responsible.”
Dawn Docx, Chief Fire Officer at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Chair of the Joint Emergency Services Group, which spearheaded the campaign, added: “Verbal abuse towards our control operators is utterly unacceptable and takes a significant toll on their mental well-being.
“These dedicated professionals are often the first point of contact in emergencies, working tirelessly to provide critical support and assistance.
“It is disheartening that they can face such hostility while performing their crucial duties.
“We hope the public can recognise their efforts and treat them with the respect they deserve.
“Every word matters, and kindness can make all the difference.”
In May, the Anti-Violence Collaborative Wales reaffirmed its commitment to reduce and respond to incidents of violence and aggression against NHS staff and emergency workers.
Judith Paget, NHS Wales Chief Executive, said: “The safety of our staff who provide NHS Wales services, along with all service users who access its care and support, is of paramount importance.
“Whilst we must continue to work hard to prevent incidents, it is vitally important that when there is an incident, our staff and service users get the support they need and deserve.
“The work of Anti-Violence Collaborative Wales supports all our staff and service users to respond when an incident happens.
“Together with partner organisations, they are working to prevent future incidents and limit the number of incidents which do occur.”
Jonathan Webb, Chair of the Collaborative, said: “I am delighted that the Anti-Violence Collaborative has been refreshed, and the strong partnership working for the benefit of all has been reinvigorated.
“The collaboration between the partner organisations will support our staff in dealing with incidents of violence and aggression.”
Chief Inspector Andy Hayes, South Wales Police’s Assaults on Officers Force Lead, added: “Our remarkable emergency service workers should not have to go to work and be assaulted or verbally abused.
“Unfortunately, there are occasions where this happens.
“Our comprehensive approach ensures we have a swift and coordinated response to incidents of violence and aggression.
“The Anti-Violence Collaborative underscores our commitment to supporting all emergency service colleagues, and we will work tirelessly to prevent violence, support those in need and bring offenders to justice.”
Anyone who assaults an emergency worker can expect to face prosecution.
In 2018, the maximum custodial sentence under the Assault on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act which could be applied by the magistrates’ court was doubled from six months to 12 months in prison.
In 2022, the maximum custodial sentence which could be applied by the crown court was increased to two years. Pledge your support to the campaign on social media using the hashtag #WithUsNotAgainstUs.