Last updated 11:24, Thursday, 20 November 2008

It seems odd and very sad that we have to make announcements in this day and age declaring that violence will not be tolerated.

It is even worse when these physical attacks are made against people who are there to protect and in some cases, save us from ourselves.

A new Stop Abuse campaign has been launched in Carlisle to warn the public that attacks on ambulance staff in the north west will not be tolerated.

This follows similar schemes in the past that have supported firefighters and hospital and nursing staff.

We wholeheartedly back the warning that anyone attacking police, fire or ambulance officers in the line of their duty faces heavy penalties.

Predictably, alcohol is at the root of this unforgivable issue. In 2007-2008 there were an appalling 234 reported assaults on North West Ambulance Service employees, most involving alcohol.

The new campaign is launched as we prepare for Chritsmas – a time of celebration, fun and good cheer.

But celebration can too easily tip into abuse and it is this time of year that prompts most action for our emergency and hospital services and causes most problems for them.

We have to learn the difference between getting a drink and getting drunk and abusing or assaulting anyone.

And we have to learn that someone wearing a uniform is usually there to help us.