DRINK and drugs are responsible for an increase in attacks on ambulance staff, a victim has warned.

In 2009, 60 front line staff from South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SCAS) were assaulted during the course of their work.

Last year that rose to 73, with nine attacks in Oxfordshire.

Ambulance technician Erica Cowley was randomly attacked by a man in May.

The mother-of-three from Witney was waiting in traffic in Oxford’s High Street with her crewmate when a man grabbed her through the open ambulance window and tried to punch her in the face twice.

She said: “A man rushed off the pavement and I was aware of him swearing loudly to himself.

“I didn’t really understand if he was aiming at me.

“He reached through the window and grabbed me and tried to punch me in the face twice.

“Luckily my colleague was able to drive the ambulance away, but as we did he spat at the vehicle. It was later found that he was drunk.”

Ms Cowley said her attack was not typical of those her colleagues are faced with, but drink nearly always played a part.

“Drink and drugs are usually involved. It’s unfortunate, but people are beginning to see it as all part of the job. But it shouldn’t be.

“All of us have joined the ambulance service because we want to help people. All we want to do is do our job,” she said.

All of the service’s new double crewed ambulances are fitted with four cameras, one inside, one over each of the side and rear doors and one in the cab mounted in front of the rear view mirror.

In addition the new ambulances are fitted with three ‘panic strips’ which, when pressed, lock the previous 30 seconds recording, record the incident and then continue recording for two minutes after the incident.

SCAS southern director Mark Ainsworth, described the attacks as ‘disappointing’.

He said: “Our staff are in the community to help and assist those in need and should not become the target of verbal and physical abuse.

“We are doing all we can to protect staff by intervening on calls where staff may be at risk and are also providing training for staff to recognise volatile situations.

“We will pursue those who assault our staff through the courts.”