The region's ambulance services have hit out at yobs who pelted their vehicles with rocks on bonfire night.
On Saturday night, one of the North East Ambulance Service's Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles was damaged when rocks and dirt were thrown at it while responding to an incident in Trimdon.
The Great North Air Ambulance’s rapid response car also sustained damage.
Thankfully no patients or staff were injured, however the vehicle will now need to be taken off the road for the repairs – which is one less resource available to respond to the most high-risk and complex emergencies.
Chief operation officer Stephen Segasby said: “This was an appalling act of violence on our vehicle which could have injured our staff who were responding to a 999 call for help.
“The NHS and NEAS are under a huge amount of pressure and strain at the moment and our crews do not expect to have to face violent behaviour when doing their job of helping people in need.”
A spokesman added: "Everyone at NEAS should be able to work without fear and this behaviour will not be tolerated."
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