DRUNKENNESS, assaults and falls kept ambulance crews busy as the service dealt with more than 1,800 calls as people welcomed in 2014.
As the clock struck midnight 999 calls to West Midlands Ambulance Service soared, with most incidents alcohol fuelled.
The start of 2014 saw call handlers deal with an average of four calls every minute with the service’s busiest time coming between 1am and 2pm on New Year’s Day.
Alcohol related assaults, falls, overdoses and traffic collisions made up the bulk of calls.
Between 8pm New Year’s Eve and 5am New Year’s Day the service responded to 1,875 calls with 159 of them coming from Worcestershire.
Incredibly despite an appeal for the public to only call 999 in a genuine emergency the service still received a number of inappropriate and even hoax calls.
Chief executive Anthony Marsh said: “I am immensely proud of the way the service has dealt with the surge in 999 calls. Thank you to my staff and the many volunteers who have given up their night to ensure the safety of everyone in the West Midlands.”
Redditch Town Centre was busy as revellers welcomed in 2014.
Redditch Safer Neighbourhood Teams tweeted about 4am on New Year’s Day: “Great atmosphere in town, lots of happy and friendly people, 0 arrests in the town centre although we’ve been busy elsewhere, not a bad night.”
