By Epsom Guardian
UK Newsquest Regional Press
Copyright 2007 NewsQuest Media Group Limited
All Rights Reserved
United Kingdom — People who assault and abuse ambulance staff or steal NHS property have been warned that they will land in court facing serious charges.
South East Coast Ambulance Service, which has one of its main ambulance control centres in Banstead, is one of the first NHS trusts to appoint a security specialist to clamp down on violence and property theft.
Last year almost 100 members of staff were assaulted as they tried to tend patients.
Now the ambulance service which covers Kent, Surrey and Sussex has announced its get tough policy by employing a security expert.
Bill Chilcott will work with police to bring offenders to court and also increase security in the ambulances and buildings used by ambulance staff.
He said: “I am determined to keep South East Coast Ambulance Service safe and secure for patients and staff. Over the years too many people have gone unpunished for their crimes against the NHS.
“The NHS should be a safe place to work and be treated, not a place for antisocial and criminal activity.
“Our staff are the there to help people and have a right to carry out their work without fear of being assaulted or abused.
“The trust and the courts take these matters very seriously and we will support our staff in trying to secure a successful conviction against intolerable behaviour.”
Mr Richard Hampton, head of the NHS Security Management Service, said: “With the introduction of local security management specialists, we believe the health service has never had a better chance to reduce violence, theft and vandalism.”