A large rock narrowly missed a patient and a medical crew after it was launched through the window of an East of England ambulance.

Cambs Times: Police are appealing for information after a large rock was launched through the window of an ambulance while crews and a patient were inside. Picture: Twitter / @EastEnglandAmbPolice are appealing for information after a large rock was launched through the window of an ambulance while crews and a patient were inside. Picture: Twitter / @EastEnglandAmb (Image: Twitter / @EastEnglandAmb)

Both staff and the patient were uninjured after the impact showered them in glass at around 10.50pm on Thursday, August 2.

Ambulance bosses are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information after the patient transport vehicle was attacked.

The non-emergency patient was being taken back to their Luton home when the rock was thrown through the side window of the ambulance.

Graeme Toliday, interim general manager, said: “It’s horrible to think that someone felt it okay to behave in such a violent way.

“Our staff and the patient are physically unharmed however it was a terrible experience for them.

“The vehicle is now off the road for a period of time waiting to be repaired.”

Inspector Russell Glenister said: “Attacking an ambulance service vehicle under any circumstances is appalling and we are glad to hear that both the members of staff and the patient were unharmed.

“We would urge anyone who has any information about this incident to come forward, by calling 101 or via the report page on our website, quoting reference 4015792-18.”

Growing numbers of East of England Ambulance Service employees are being subjected to violence or abuse, according to latest figures, which reveal 202 attacks were logged in 2015 compared with 250 in 2017.

Over this three-year period, a total of 704 incidents of physical abuse, assaults and violence were reported by staff.

A spokesman said: “Ambulance staff should not have to work in an environment where they fear assault or abuse of any form, especially when they are doing their best to care for people in the east of England.

“It is entirely unacceptable that any member of our staff, both on the frontline, or anywhere else, is subjected to abuse of any kind.

They added: “The trust will always support staff in pursuing criminal charges if needs be.

“We will push for the highest possible action to be taken in all cases.”

Chiefs at the trust are currently running a #DontChooseToAbuse campaign on social media, encouraging people to make a choice and treat ambulance staff with respect.