I was shocked and angered when, at a recent daily news meeting, a story (now published) was put forward by one of my colleagues about paramedics in the region trialling the wearing of body cameras for their protection.

How can such attacks happen?

Figures released by the West Midlands Ambulance Service show that paramedics were assaulted 80 times in February and March – up from 65 for the same period last year.

I know this has been happening nationally for a number of years but I didn’t know the cancer has spread to our beautiful region.

Why would someone attack front line staff doing vital work in our community?

Senseless.

The NHS is struggling as it is and the investment in hi-tech camera equipment will be another weight added to its arthritic shoulders.

I’m sure no one goes to work expecting to get attacked and, if that's now a regular occurrence, I think staff should be paid danger money.

What is this added stress doing on levels of absenteeism?

I know if I was a new graduate of paramedic science I would seriously reconsider my choice of career.

But then again I can see that the staff that go into this line of work do so with their eyes wide open - and care enough for helping people that they’re willing to risk their personal safety for a sense of duty to help members of their community.

If someone has anger issues why don’t they just join a fighting club?

Get in the ring, take it out on another consenting adult or do they like to pick on people who they perceive as weaker and are really bullies who would not want to fight an equal pugilist?

Where does this behaviour come from?

I’m sure the minority that commit such attacks, when they go to court will blame their environment, their childhood or even the weather for their heinous actions.

To them, it’ll always be someone else to blame and that’s the problem.

The legal system needs to come down severely on them to act as a deterrent to others.

People like this don’t understand niceness and having a fight at the weekend is as perfunctory as an after dinner mint to some.

READ MORE: Paramedics to wear body cameras after attacks rise by almost a quarter in a year