Glasgow Airport’s top cop has revealed that a drunken passenger left one of his officers permanently disabled after attacking him while boozed up for his holiday.

Inspector Bob Smith, who has been based at the city’s airport for four years, explained the sergeant has now had to retire from the police force following the shocking attack.

Inspector Smith said: “A young man is no longer able to work in the police service now.

“He retired just very recently on the grounds of ill health after a drunk male passenger repeatedly kicked him and tried to resist his arrest.”

He added: “There is permanent damaged in his leg and a man has lost his career all through someone wanting a drink before they go on holiday.”

The story is all too familiar for emergency services workers in the Scottish Ambulance Service, Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who face a daily abuse helping members of the public tanked up on alcohol.

The three agencies have joined forces to raise awareness of the issue after new figures reveal they are facing shocking levels of alcohol-related abuse.

Emergency workers have been punched, threatened and spat on as they stand on the front line, and according to a staff survey alcohol misuse is a contributory factor in around half of incidents.

The survey also revealed that one in three workers have been subjected to physical abuse while attending an incident as a result of alcohol misuse and two thirds have experienced verbal abuse.

Inspector Smith, who has been in the police for more than 29 years, also spoke of one of his officers injuring his thumb during another attack at Glasgow Airport.

He said: “We were dealing with a particular flight in the afternoon and two males were lying unconscious on the pier.

“The crew phoned us to say they had clearly been drinking and they were sprawled out on the floor in a very deep sleep.

“Myself and another officer went to speak to them, and they turned on us like that.

“One officer had his thumb put in a different place and it wasn’t were it should be.

“He turned round and got the passenger arrested

“But there was drink and drugs involved in that, and the passenger injured himself as well.”

A total of 1900 staff from each of the 999 emergency services took part in the internal survey to answer questions on how alcohol misuse impacts on them carrying out their jobs.

A firefighter recalled: “I was in breathing apparatus at a house fire and I found a man lying in his bed. He had tried to cook after coming back from a night out but he was drunk and fell asleep.

“The smoke alarm was blaring but he only woke up when I shook him to see if he was alive. He punched me in the face.”

An ambulance crew member shared: “I have been assaulted, spat at and verbally abused too many times to mention.

“If people could only see the effect they have on an incident when they’re under the influence of alcohol. We have to spend as much time looking after our own safety as looking after our patient.”

Emergency services staff have also reported delays in getting potentially vital information as a result of someone being drunk.

The actions of people under the influence accounted for all three services facing needless incidents and nuisance calls, tying up resources that could be needed at emergencies elsewhere.

One response revealed an ambulance on its way to a life-threatening medical emergency was delayed by drunk revellers who ran into the road and danced in front of the vehicle.

Staff handling 999 calls highlighted their struggles to get key information about emergencies, describing having to battle to understand callers so drunk they are unable to give their location or even state what they think is happening.

Alison Douglas, the Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, has given the charity’s backing to the campaign.

She said: "Our emergency services have to spend far too much time and resources dealing with the illness, injuries, disorder and violence caused by excessive drinking, often at risk to themselves.

“Reducing our overall alcohol consumption, with particular targeting of high risk groups, will help ease the pressure on our police, fire and ambulance staff.

“But encouraging people to drink less is difficult when we are surrounded by cheap alcohol that is constantly promoted as an everyday product.”

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams added: “The findings of this survey are as stark as they are unacceptable.

“Over a four week period 36 per cent of police officers were physically abused and 75 per cent were verbally abused as a result of individuals who chose to misuse alcohol.

“Let's be clear - this behaviour is having an impact on the capacity of all the emergency services. There is an impact from drinking too much alcohol and I really hope that people take some time to consider and reflect on these findings.

“We all want to enjoy ourselves and have a great night out but think about the impact you'll have if you take it too far."