A review of safety measures is underway

There have been eight serious assaults on workers in the last week alone.

In the latest incident, a paramedic was assaulted by four men while he was tending to a patient.

The ambulance service is now considering upgrading the security measures on its vehicles.

Ambulance raided

Russell Smith from East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), said: "Over the last week we have had four staff in Nottinghamshire assaulted, three in Derbyshire and one in Leicestershire.

"That is a total of eight staff in the whole of the East Midlands Ambulance Service area."

The latest incident involved an emergency worker who returned to his ambulance to get some equipment on Abbott Street in Heanor, Derbyshire at 2340 BST on 22 August.

He was confronted by three men rummaging through the vehicle, apparently trying to open cupboards and start the engine.

Vehicle cameras

He was then grabbed by a fourth man who called on the others to assault him.

This fourth man is described as around 6ft 5ins, heavily tattooed with a chain from his nose to his ear.

Managers at EMAS said that while the physical injuries would heal, the psychological affects would last far longer.

Only two ambulances currently have CCTV but more will be considered if it is thought they will deter attacks on staff.