It has been revealed that ambulance crews are prevented from entering 33 addresses in the in the TD postcode area amid fears for their safety. This is because they have been red flagged as being unsafe.
This means that paramedics can only go in to respond to a 999 call when there is a police officer present to help protect them.
The figures were released to the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information and showed that there are over 2500 Scottish addresses in total deemed unsafe.
The TD postcode is commonly known as the Galashiels area, yet it covers most of the Scottish Borders.
Rachael Hamilton MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire said ‘Paramedics already have to put up with a lot during their working hours when they have to respond to people with devastating injuries or even worse.’
‘It is sickening that there are so many Borders addresses that are deemed too unsafe to attend without police protection. It has always baffled me as to why people attack those who are trying to help’
‘I want to see tougher action from the courts when people have assaulted or threatened paramedics, or indeed any member of the emergency services.’
‘Like us all, they should be able to attend their place of work without fear’