Coronavirus: ‘Aggressive’ men at Peterborough property ‘banged on side of ambulance’ after self-isolation request

Medical technician Craig Gardner claimed he had been forced to “withdraw from the scene” after the incident in Crown Street, New England, on Sunday evening.

He tweeted his thanks to police who were called to the scene after he advised a household they needed to isolate for 14 days.

Mr Gardner tweeted: “They were so aggressive towards me I had to withdraw from scene. What is it with people not understanding why we need to isolate. I’m there to help not be abused @EastEnglandAmb.”

The East of England Ambulance Service yesterday confirmed the incident happened in Peterborough but had no more information.

However, this morning a Cambridgeshire police spokeswoman said: “We were called by the ambulance service at about 6.45pm on Sunday to reports of concern for a paramedic who was treating a woman at an address in Crown Street, Peterborough.

“When the patient was advised to stay inside and self-isolate, two men who lived at the address became aggressive and began banging on the side of the ambulance.

“Officers attended the scene. No damage to the ambulance was caused and no arrests were made.

“Our blue light colleagues at the East of England Ambulance Service are doing a fantastic job under huge pressure and we will not tolerate threatening behaviour towards them.

“When called upon we will protect ambulance workers as they seek to do their job - helping the people of Cambridgeshire in these very difficult times.

“If you’re asked to self-isolate it’s for a reason – please respect the advice and those delivering the message.”

An ambulance service spokesperson said: “Our crews are getting wonderful support from nearly all members of the public and we’ve seen many stories around the region of notes of appreciation and even small gifts being left on ambulance windscreens by businesses and individuals.

“However, we continue to fully support staff who are abused by a very small minority of the public.”

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