Wigan paramedics to get bodycams in bid to curb violence against them

North West Ambulance Service begins rolling out the cameras today, starting in areas with the most staff abuse incidents: Central Manchester, East Lancs and parts of Merseyside.

Paramedic Kris Fairhurst is among the first to use the kit. He said: “Sadly it is all too common for frontline staff to be subject to violence by the very people we are trying to help. I have worked for the service for 13 years and in that time I have been kicked, spat at, shouted at and even threatened with a knife. This should not be happening and I am hoping that these cameras will give us an extra level of protection to deter incidents and assist with prosecutions.”

Thank you for reading. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers. If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription. Thanks again.