Hoodie-wearing youths harass sole ambulance officer in Cambridge

The sole staff member phoned for help after dropping off a patient in a Patient Transfer Vehicle at a house on Burns St, Leamington. Photot / Supplied

A group of hooded youths are being sought by police after harassing a sole St John officer fresh from dropping off a patient.

Waikato police Senior Sergeant Phil Ruddell said the sole staff member phoned for help after dropping off a patient in a Patient Transfer Vehicle at a house on Burns St, Leamington, at 2.20am today.

"An ambulance has dropped off a patient at a property and when they came to leave their path was blocked by five males who were wearing hoodies and on push bikes.

"They have tried to gain entry to the ambulance, but the ambulance driver has locked all the doors and managed to drive off."

However, as the officer slowly made their way from the scene, the group of males, all described as Maori, started banging on the side of the vehicle and trying to open the doors.

The group were unsuccessful in getting inside, he said.

"Police attended but were unable to locate this group."

Anyone with information about the group or who saw them in Burns St this morning is urged to phone Cambridge police on 07 827 5531.

Ruddell said St John staff were out there trying to look after the community and didn't need this sort of harassment.

"Ambulance staff are out there doing purely good work for the community and shouldn't be harassed or targeted in this way."

Stuart Cockburn, district operations manager for St John, saidSt John did not tolerate any kind of harassment or abuse towards staff and took staff safety very seriously. This incident was immediately reported to police.

"We are supporting our officer and working with Police on their investigation."