The region's ambulance service experienced a decrease in the number of staff being assaulted last year, according to new figures.

More than 130 physical assaults were made on members of the East of England Ambulance Service, a report from NHS Protect has revealed.

Criminal convictions were handed out to 46 of those responsible for 137 recorded attacks against trust staff during 2012/13.

In 2011/12, there were 144 assaults recorded against members of staff.

Rob Ashford, acting director of service delivery for the NHS trust, said: 'The safety and wellbeing of our staff is of utmost importance and we have protocols in place to ensure that such assaults are reported and dealt with appropriately.'

'The vast majority of people are supportive of the ambulance service, but unfortunately there are still those few people who obstruct our staff as they try to go about their work helping people around the region.'

'It is absolutely unacceptable for people who are working hard on the frontline to help others to be attacked for any reason and we take a zero tolerance approach against assaults.'