AN MSP has called for action to stop assaults on emergency service workers – particularly in Irvine.

It follows two Freedom of Information requests that found assaults on emergency service workers in Irvine (particularly the town centre) remained high, whilst across Ayrshire there were 191 properties that ambulance staff would not enter without a police officer out of concern for their own safety.

West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene has now written to Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Humza Yousaf, asking for details on what action the Scottish Government is taking to protect emergency service workers in North Ayrshire.

He has previously stressed that the Scottish Government must do more to protect emergency service workers.

The Conservative MSP said: “My position is simple – one assault on an emergency service worker is one too many. These brave men and women are on the front line everyday keeping people across Ayrshire safe, so it is unthinkable that people would actually go out and attack members of our emergency services.

“Unfortunately these incidents are far too common across North Ayrshire and the West Scotland Region.

“The responsibility falls on the Scottish Government, as well as opposition parties, to do everything in their power to ensure that our emergency service workers are afforded the proper protection as they undertake their heroic duties.”