Attacks on ambulance workers could be caught on camera as crews prepare for one of their busiest times of year.

Scores of paramedics and technicians working at the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) have been victims of assault while trying to do their job.

Figures from Secamb reveal there were 113 attacks on crews in Sussex, Surrey and Kent between April 2013 and the end of March.

Fifty-five of these were in Sussex alone and left staff with injuries including bruises and cuts.

Secamb said nine individuals were prosecuted over the same period and the service was aiming to increase this in future years.

Bosses say any assault or threat of assault is taken extremely seriously and staff are encouraged to report any incidents and agree to press charges.

Where possible, Secamb will take action, with the help of Sussex Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Last month a member of staff was assaulted while attending to a call to a teenager believed to have been drunk.

The male member of staff suffered facial injuries and received treatment at Eastbourne District General Hospital.

The teenager was bailed bending further enquiries.

The risk of assaults is expected to rise over the coming weeks with more people out celebrating Christmas and New Year.

However the trust is installing CCTV cameras in its fleet of vehicle in the hope it may deter people who become aggressive.

Secamb security manager Steve Robotham said: “Just one assault against our staff is one too many and ambulance crews must never be made to feel that violence or the threat of violence is just a part of their jobs.

“Of course the huge majority of patients and members of the public know this kind of behaviour is deplorable and would never think of hurting someone who is there to save lives and help and serve the community but there are a very small number of individuals who seem to think this is acceptable.”