Record‑High Attacks on UK Ambulance Staff Show Urgent Need for PMVA, Breakaway and Conflict Management Training
- Breakaway & Restraint Specialists Ltd
- Jun 17
- 2 min read
Last month The Guardian reported that there were a staggering 22,536 incidents of violence, aggression or abuse directed at UK ambulance staff during 2024‑25 - a 15 percent increase on the previous year. That averages out to roughly 433 attacks every week, ranging from kicks, punches and spitting to head‑butts, verbal threats and even sexual assaults. Female paramedics are disproportionately affected and, alarmingly, experts believe many incidents go unreported.
It’s a stark reminder that ambulance workers – who shouldn’t have to fear for their safety – are facing a truly toxic environment on the frontline.
At BR Specialists we know this isn’t just statistics. We’ve seen paramedics from NHS trusts, private ambulance services and secure units come through our doors, shaken by close-up confrontations and increasingly aggressive encounters. That’s why our PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression), breakaway/self‑defence and conflict management training programmes are more necessary than ever.
PMVA training equips staff with proven, safe techniques for restraint and control, but it’s so much more than physical. It helps teams recognise early signs of escalation and use verbal de‑escalation before things escalate further. Meanwhile our breakaway and self‑defence sessions teach practical skills - how to escape wrist‑grabs, avoid being pinned or manoeuvred in tight, enclosed spaces like an ambulance cab. And our conflict and aggression management course gives participants the confidence to diffuse situations calmly, even when emotions are running high.
We also offer a Train‑the‑Trainer option, enabling ambulance services, whether NHS trusts, private providers or secure-unit teams, to embed this vital training in house. That means ongoing refresher sessions, tailored content for your local needs, and the ability to respond to changing patterns of violence swiftly and sustainably.
Nick Attard, our General Manager at BR Specialists, puts it plainly:
“Paramedics are heading into work never knowing what or who they might face. We can’t just react - we need proactive resilience. Our training gives crews real, instinctive tools and the mental strength to stay safe, stay focussed and carry on saving lives.”
For ambulance service managers, health leaders and training coordinators, the message is clear: these rising levels of aggression call for more than policies and hope. They require action. If your teams haven’t received fresh PMVA, breakaway or conflict management training in the past 12 months, now is the time to act.
Get in touch and we can arrange an introductory session or bespoke workshop. We’ll work with your people, on your premises, to ensure your crews get not just one-off training, but confidence and skills that stay with them long after the session ends.
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Together, let’s make sure every call‑out is met with skill, confidence, and compassion - so your crews can carry on doing what they do best.
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