DORSET ambulance chiefs are studying pioneering proposals to treat abusive patients only if police escorts are guarding the paramedics.

They are considering a new policy being adopted by the Avon Ambulance Trust whereby "problem" patients will be placed on a register and get treatment only when police can escort them into their homes.

The move has been adopted by the Bristol-based trust after it was revealed that nearly half its staff have been attacked by patients during the past year.

Director of operations at the Dorset Ambulance Trust, Roger Ferre, has said that the level of violence against crews is unacceptable.

"Violence against our ambulance crews is certainly something on our agenda," said Mr Ferre. "We have the details of the Avon policy and are currently looking at it. Every ambulance service has concerns about the level of violence, and all operate zero tolerance when it comes to prosecution.

"We also have a number of other issues about personal protection and training that we are looking at."

Cale Cunningham, 27, from Poole High Street, was jailed for six years earlier this year after he was found guilty of GBH with malicious wounding at Bournemouth Crown Court, for stabbing paramedic David Bell in the head.

Other attacks on paramedics have included a 999 crew being threatened by a gunman, or being punched and kicked. Medics also face "no go" situations at squats booby-trapped with syringes.

Operations manager at the Hampshire Ambulance Trust, John Anfield, said: "We already have a procedure where we identify locations that historically have proved to be a problem. When we receive a call this location shows up on our system and we decide whether to call the police to attend alongside the paramedics.

"But unlike Avon we do not withhold medical treatment to anybody. It's up to the paramedics present at the scene to decide whether to assist if police are not present.

"You cannot tar everyone with the same brush at a certain address."