Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson has expressed “deep concern” over addresses that have been “red flagged” to ambulance staff across Scotland.
A Freedom of Information Request from the Scottish Conservatives shows that nearly 450 addresses have been identified as ones where Scottish Ambulance Staff are not allowed to enter without the presence of police.
The highest number of red flagged addresses come with Glasgow and Edinburgh postcodes, with 107 and 83 addresses identified in these areas, respectively.
In areas of Lanarkshire with an ‘ML’ postcode, the freedom of information request revealed 42 warnings have been identified – the third highest in the country.
Mr Simpson has raised concerns over the figures and has highlighted how police and ambulance staff may struggle to link up, given that, under the SNP, police officer numbers in Scotland are at their lowest level since 2008.
He says that one attack on an emergency service worker in Lanarkshire is one too many and more action must be taken to keep them safe.
MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson said: “These figures are deeply concerning.
“This is not an inconsiderable number of addresses that have been red-flagged in Lanarkshire for our dedicated ambulance staff.
“One attack on any ambulance worker in our region is one too many.
“With police officer numbers at their lowest number since 2008 across Scotland, I am also concerned that they may not be able to easily link up with ambulance crews when called upon at a particular address.
“It is clear from the number of red-flagged addresses in ‘ML’ postcodes that much more needs to be done to keep our ambulance workers safe, including ensuring that our courts take the toughest action against those who assault them.
“That is the very least that should be done to ensure frontline staff can feel safe while going about their work.”
