NORTH West Ambulance Service has said it will continue to explore ways to improve the safety of its crews.

Three members of staff were assaulted in the early hours on New Year’s Day, in Preston, St Helens and Skelmersdale.

Derek Cartwright, acting director of operations, said: “These types of incidents are totally unacceptable and the trust and trade unions will do everything they can to support staff who are assaulted on duty.

“In order to address the increasing threat of aggression towards NWAS staff, a joint trade union and management group has been established.

“NWAS is constantly exploring options to make the working environment a much safer one for NWAS staff and would like to give management and TU assurance that it is taking the matter of violence and aggression against NWAS staff very seriously and will do all that is possible to address this problem.”