AN ambulance crew was threatened with a six-inch knife while treating a patient lying on a road in Newport.

The paramedics fled the scene after a man produced the knife as they were helping the patient in Salisbury Terrace.

A second crew and police then attended but both the man and patient had vanished.

Steve Salter, ambulance officer for Newport, said the incident, which left two paramedics badly shaken, highlighted how cases of abuse had spiralled in the area.

"Ambulance crews in Newport are either verbally or physically assaulted at least once a shift," he said.

"This incident was particularly serious as it involved a knife. "It is disgusting that ambulance staff are attacked. This incident is especially sad as the crew had stopped as Good Samaritans to help a man in the street."

It is understood the man with the knife threatened the crew if they touched the injured man, and later lunged at them. No one was injured.

Calls are now being made to improve security for staff. Dave Galligan, Unison's head of health for Wales, said the latest incident could renew calls for all crews to be issued with protective stab vests.

"This has been discussed within the Welsh Ambulance Trust but there are mixed feelings," he said. "It's worth looking at again."

Mr Galligan said ambulance staff in London, Manchester and Glasgow were already using vests and believed some crews in Wales had bought their own. The ambulance trust said there were no plans to introduce them yet.

"Clearly, we live in a more violent culture than we used to," Mr Galligan said.

"Violence against ambulance personnel is a fairly regular feature and it has a big effect on the morale of the victims. There are no easy answers. Crews are taught how to recognise risks and respond promptly and safely. They are never expected to put their own lives at risk."

Lyn Meadows, the ambulance trust's director of personnel and development, said they would not tolerate any violence.

As well as giving staff training, she said the trust's campaign No Excuse urged the public to report any incidents.

The crew was threatened near the Old Rising Sun pub at about 10.30pm last Friday. An investigation has been launched.

Anyone with information can phone Gwent Police on 01633 838111.