Ambulance crews in Manchester will wear body cams as part of a new pilot aimed at reducing the alarming number of assaults against frontline staff.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) staff have reported being kicked, spat at, and threatened with weapons whilst attending incidents – with almost 400 physical assaults on paramedics taking place in 2020.
Over 1,000 cases of verbal abuse were also logged in the same time period.
Statistics show that violence and threatening behaviour against frontline staff has risen despite lockdown – with the number of reports increasing by 4% since 2018.
From March 31, ambulance crews in Manchester, East Lancashire and Merseyside (regions that have historically seen the highest number of incidents involving staff abuse) will have body cams fitted to their uniforms.
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If deemed a success, the body cams will be rolled out nationwide.
The technology will enable staff to press a button to record if someone becomes threatening or aggressive. The footage can then be used in court to aid prosecutions.
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NWAS Director of Operations Ged Blezard said: “Our staff work day in, day out to protect and care for their patients, they do not deserve to be subject to abuse and assaults.
“It’s a top priority for us to keep our staff safe and this is a huge step towards reducing violence and aggression against them.
“Not only will this aid in prosecutions of offenders but it is hoped to help de-escalate situations and avoid attacks from even taking place.”
Featured image: NWAS
News
Rising Manchester DJ issues heartfelt statement after Parklife set is cancelled over safety concerns
Daisy Jackson
Manchester DJ Josh Baker has issued a statement after his Parklife set was unexpectedly cancelled.
The rising star techno and house DJ was supposed to be playing on the brand-new Matinee stage on Sunday evening.
But his set attracted some huge crowds, not helped by the sudden downpour as his set was due to begin.
The area around Matinee became increasingly busy and Parklife announced that the Josh Baker performance would be paused on ‘the advice of safety team’.
Josh Baker has now issued a statement on social media to his followers as his Parklife set was due to end, signed off with a row of crying emojis.
He wrote: “Unfortunately I will not be performing at Parklife due to reason outside of my control.
Josh Baker has shared a statement after his Parklife set was cancelled. Credit: Instagram, @joshbaker
“I deeply apologise. I can’t really put into words what today was going to mean to me.”
Next on the Matinee stage should have been Chris Stussy, another name that was predicted to pull in a big crowd.
At the time of writing, The Matinee Stage remains closed but there are again large queues of fans waiting to re-enter the space.
Parklife pauses major DJ set on ‘advice of safety team’ as huge crowds swarm
Daisy Jackson
Parklife has announced it has paused one of the most hotly-tipped sets of the weekend ‘upon advice of the safety team’.
Josh Baker’s set on the brand-new Matinee stage has been attracting huge crowds from the late afternoon.
The Manchester-born DJ is a rising star in the tech and house scene and was always going to be a highlight of the festival’s line-up this year.
But his pull has maybe been a bit greater than expected, with massive crowds swarming around the Matinee stage on Sunday afternoon.
It’s been so busy that Parklife has made the decision to pause his show altogether while crowds disperse.
The warning sent on the Parklife appHow The Matinee stage looked on Saturday. Credit: The Manc Group
Security have been managing the crowds at the stage with a queue system, but when the heavens opened (and it REALLY rained at about 7pm) the area surrounding the Matinee stage became even busier.
Parklife has issued a statement on its app that reads: “Upon advice of the PL safety team, the show on the Matinee stage has been paused. We will update ASAP.”
Parklife has described Josh Baker as ‘a versatile DJ and producer, embodying the creative essence of the new wave of electronic artists’.
The Manc -
26th March 2021 
