AMBULANCE crews could refuse to treat patients in the North East if their own safety is put at risk.

The warning comes days after paramedics narrowly escaped injury when a missile was hurled at their vehicle.

Ray McDermott, Unison branch secretary for the North-East Ambulance Service, said the 450 frontline staff could not be expected to put up with increasing violence and verbal abuse.

He said medics regularly faced a torrent of abuse from patients and bystanders, and called for police escorts to protect crews attending known blackspots.

Mr McDermott said: "We try to save lives every day, yet constantly face verbal abuse and violence. Nearly 40 per cent of ambulance staff will be assaulted and 80 per cent verbally abused this year.

"It is a massive problem and one that could ultimately cost lives, as we could be forced to stop attending incidents where we are put in danger.

"We work closely with the police already but need help to tackle the problem."

Mr McDermott spoke out after paramedics Steve Tate and Simon Morris were left shocked when a concrete block struck their windscreen on Saturday.

The pair were travelling on the A688 at Spennymoor, back to their Durham City base, when the attack happened at 7.20pm. Both escaped injury.

Superintendent Barry Knevitt, of Durham Police, said: "We would obviously be sympathetic to a request for help from our colleagues in the ambulance service and on many occasions officers will accompany crews."

He said police and ambulance chiefs in the region will meet soon to discuss the issue.

Witnesses to the incident are asked to contact Spennymoor police on (01388) 814411