Ambulance crews in Wales have suffered more than 500 incidents of physical violence and verbal abuse in the last two-and-a-half years, new figures revealed today.

Government officials now say they are determined to “stamp out” violence and aggression against ambulance staff.

Figures obtained by Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks under the Freedom of Information Act for 2006 to 2008 and the first six months of 2008 and 2009, show there were 258 cases of physical assaults yet only 17 successful prosecutions brought.

In the same period there were also 311 complaints of verbal abuse.

John Howard, chief officer of Montgomeryshire Community Health Council, urged the public to “respect” ambulance staff.

He said: “They do a wonderful job and the public need to start respecting them. I think it’s absolutely awful that they get abused or attacked because they help a lot of people.”

Mr Franks said he was “disturbed and appalled” at the number of attacks on ambulance staff who are working to save lives.

He said: “Ambulance crews should not have to put up with such appalling behaviour. There must at all times be a zero tolerance attitude taken to violence.”

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the trust does everything it can to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff and volunteers.

She added: “The trust condemns acts of violence and aggression against its staff and those employed in the NHS in general.

“The Welsh Ambulance Service upholds a zero tolerance approach to such behaviour and does its utmost to ensure that anyone who physically or verbally attacks ambulance crews is reported to the police.

“Ambulance crews are taught conflict awareness, which involves techniques for calming down aggression and includes simple physical manoeuvres to use to extricate themselves from potentially dangerous situations.”

A Welsh Assembly Government spokeswoman said: “Violence and aggression against staff is totally unacceptable and the Health Minister, Edwina Hart, is determined to stamp out this behaviour and taking action to achieve this.”

By Anwen Evans