The capital's no-go streets for 999 medics fearing attack

HUNDREDS of London streets have become no-go areas for ambulances because of attacks on medical staff .

Almost 2,000 London addresses have been put on a "high risk register", and are categorised as too dangerous for emergency workers to visit without a police escort.

Health officials refused to make the London Ambulance Service list public,but it includes roads in St John's Wood, Fulham, Greenwich, Wimbledon and Islington.

In some areas there are more than 100 addresses where staff have been assaulted while responding to calls, mainly due to drug and alcohol-related attacks. Campaigners called for tougher action against people who assault emergency workers after it emerged that less than two per cent are prosecuted.

Figures obtained from the London Ambulance service under the Freedom of Information Act show that in the past 12 months some units have suffered more than 100 attacks. The most targeted were staff based in Edmonton (144 attacks), Hanwell (127) and Isleworth (117).

They also fear the policy of waiting for police escorts could put lives at risk, as the Met and ambulance service have differing emergency call response targets. Ambulances must be at an address within eight minutes, while police work to a 12-minute rule.

Michael Summers, vice chairman of the Patients Association, said: "This escort policy is unfair on patients who are genuinely innocent, and who might well find themselves unable to be treated within the necessary time limits because the ambulance crew that is sent to them is waiting for a police escort."

An spokeswoman for London Ambulance Service said it was "essential" to protect staff as at least two ambulance workers a day are attacked in London.

"We hold a list of more than 1,900 patient addresses where previous experience suggests there may be a risk of physical or verbal abuse.This register helps protect staff.

"When we receive a call to a flagged address indicating a threat to our staff, we immediately notify the police. We will not enter the property until they are also in attendance."

Andrew Trotter, of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "We aim to deploy immediately to emergencies and we make sure that 999 calls are despatched straight away. Attacks on emergency services are very serious."

Scotland Yard refused to comment.