Successful prosecutions for assaults on ambulance crews have doubled in 12 months.

South East Coast Ambulance Service achieved 35 court convictions in the last financial year compared to 16 the year before.

There were 107 assaults reported by staff in Sussex, Surrey and Kent in 2008/9.

The figures are being released by the service as part of national NHS Security Awareness Month.

The Argus revealed earlier this year there were 40 reported assaults on front line ambulance crews in Sussex alone and a further 46 cases of threats, verbal abuse and other aggressive behaviour.

Unions believe the actual figure is probably higher because not all incidents are reported.

Recent successful prosecutions included that of Hayley Cooke, 18, of Crest Way, Portslade.

She was ordered to pay paramedic Jonathan Busst £1,200 in compensation after breaking his finger as he tried to help her in January.

Ambulance service security management specialist David Dixon and union members are visiting the crews at stations across the region to give advice and information.

Mr Dixon said: "Where possible we will always work with the police and Crown Prosecution Service to achieve the highest possible sanctions against these individuals.

"We also want staff to know that there are alternative measures available to us such as private prosecutions, civil action and ASBOs which can be taken against those who threaten them."