A WOMAN who called for an ambulance 38 times in nine months and then abused staff has become the subject of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.Gillian Crow, 38, of Church End, Great Dunmow, shouted, swore at and was verbally aggressive towards ambulance crews who went to treat her after she called 999.

By Juliette Maxam

A WOMAN who called for an ambulance 38 times in nine months and then abused staff has become the subject of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

Gillian Crow, 38, of Church End, Great Dunmow, shouted, swore at and was verbally aggressive towards ambulance crews who went to treat her after she called 999.

Senior Operations Manager, Adrian Maasz, said: "The behaviour displayed by this woman was completely unacceptable. She put staff in fear of violence, pretended to be unconscious and abused the 999 call system. It got so bad that crews would not attend her address unless they had a police escort."

An interim order was placed against her by magistrates at Harlow last week. It is the first time Essex Ambulance Service has taken such steps.

Mr Maasz said: "We are delighted that the courts are prepared to take action against this sort of behaviour. Essex Ambulance Service has a Zero Tolerance policy against aggressive behaviour be it verbal or physical. We would like to thank our colleagues in the police for supporting us through this action.

"People who abuse the ambulance service are literally putting lives at risk. If a crew is dealing with this type of call, it means they are not available to respond to genuine calls where a life may be at risk.

"People like this are abusing crews who dedicate their lives to helping others. Our staff provide a tremendous service, often under very difficult circumstances, with patients badly injured or suffering from a medical condition."

The interim order states that Crow is prohibited from behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and is ordered not to attend Uttlesford District Council offices in High Street, Dunmow except between 10am and 3pm. She should not remain in the offices when directed to leave by staff. She is not to be drunk in a public place in Essex, not to cause an obstruction on the public highway, not to enter Burnstie Road, Felsted, and not to enter the Angel and Harp Public House in Church End, Dunmow.