WHAT’S your reaction to seeing someone who has dedicated their life to helping others?

Who has trained for years, works unbearably long hours and could, in an emergency, be the difference between life and death? Be nice to them and thank them for everything they do? Or launch at them with a fence post?

Incredibly, while most of us would agree with the former, of course, it seems too many people would opt for the second option.

A new report by Greater London Assembly (GLA) Conservatives (glaconservatives.co.uk/pip) reveals that four frontline ambulance workers are abused, threatened or spat on every day in London.

In the past three years, they have endured 4,017 violent incidents, 1,232 of these being physical attacks.

Shocking – and this isn’t a problem restricted to the big, bad capital.

Earlier this year, a court case highlighted a brutal assault by a man from Lancashire.

Lewis Westwood was jailed for eight years after attacking a paramedic with a baseball bat, fracturing his skull and leaving him with ongoing hearing problems, after being called to his home. Westwood was reportedly high on alcohol and cocaine at the time.

A spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service was quoted as saying that it was one of the worst cases he had come across in his 30 years of service, but added: “It’s a sad fact that we are becoming almost used to hearing of our staff being either verbally or physically assaulted.”

Last year, a total of 48 frontline staff with the North-East Ambulance Service (NEAS) were physically attacked while they were attending incidents where they had been called to help. Another 119 were either threatened or verbally abused.

The incidents ranged in seriousness from paramedics being kicked or punched in the face to being spat on. The numbers fell slightly compared to the previous year but NEAS bosses say there is no cause for complacency – and the possibility of equipping paramedics with stab-proof vests remains on the agenda.

Roger Evans, crime spokesman and author of the GLA report, said: “It’s despicable that people who are trying to save lives should even face rudeness, let alone vicious attacks.

“Ambulance crews spend every day responding to emergencies and saving lives.

“They are real heroes and we need to treat them with huge respect.

“Sadly though, I have uncovered figures which show abuse, threats and physical attacks against these people are on the rise.

“It’s a disgrace to hear of cases where frontline staff are having their fingers savagely bitten by drunks and attacked with fence posts.”

Disgrace barely begins to cover it, but whatever word is used, the facts remain the same – these attacks are happening, and something needs to be done about it. One approach could be to try to understand what would drive someone to attack ambulance workers.

But beyond the theory people might do it because they are lashing out from the fear, pain and dread over why an ambulance was needed in the first place , all you are left with is that people do it simply because they are, by nature, violent thugs.

In a significant number of these cases, alcohol is also a big factor. Mr Evans believes that the answer lies in the way ambulance workers are equipped.

“Body-worn CCTV cameras would act as visible deterrents for criminals who think it’s acceptable to abuse our frontline emergency crews,” he says. “Furthermore, video evidence would make it easier to report crimes, avoid disputes and shorten trials.”

It’s an idea that is being introduced among other frontline services. Last year, Staffordshire Police announced that their officers would all be wearing body cameras.

Mr Evans is calling for an initial Londonwide pilot of 100 body-worn cameras for frontline workers, and a further 100 CCTV cameras for ambulance vehicles.

“The trial of 200 cameras would act as a visible deterrent and is estimated to cost £106,000, which is less than only one year of the ambulance’s annual sick leave bill caused by injury,” he points out.

Whether the plan will come into action remains to be seen but, whatever happens, the sad truth is that attacks against ambulance workers will continue. Next time you see a flashing blue light, don’t just be thankful that it’s (hopefully) not for you. Take time to give a little nod of respect to the crew, who are bravely trying to ignore the violence and get on with helping those in need.