TOUGH measures have been introduced for the first time at Blackburn's hospitals in an effort to curb the number of violent and aggressive attacks on staff.

The measures, worth more than £240,000, include a new alarm system costing £45,000, more secure baby tags, CCTV cameras and security guards around the clock at accident and emergency.

They have resulted in the number of physical and verbal assaults on staff at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and Queen's Park Hospital dropping by more than 50 per cent from 42 in July this year to 19 last month.

Management of the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust adopted the zero tolerance approach and set up an action plan to tackle the problem 18 months ago.

They believe the numbers of violent and aggressive incidents at the hospitals had risen, although not above the national average, due to the numbers of people attending hospital with drug and alcohol related problems, who were aggravated by an injury.

The trust is also one of the first in the country to start sending warning letters to disruptive and violent patients, telling them it has the right to withdraw care in the future. A total of 100 have been sent out so far.

The scheme, part of the Government's zero tolerance scheme, which aims to protect staff and hospitals against abusive patients, will now be introduced across the country.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn announced guidelines this week for hospitals to deny abusive or violent patients treatment. Those with severe mental health problems or life-threatening conditions are not included.

Mr Milburn said: "The witholding of treatment from violent and abusive patients will always be a last resort, but I believe it should be an option available to managers and staff working in NHS trusts. This sends out a clear message that violent and abusive behaviour will not be tolerated and decisive action will be taken to protect staff, patients and visitors."

A report to the trust board next Wednesday showed there were 125 physical and verbal assaults in the last quarter of this year, compared with 106 so far this quarter.

Mike Hall, trust facilities manager, said: "The levels gave us some food for thought when we looked at them 18 months ago.

"We have worked really hard with our staff, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the magistrates courts to try and send out the message to the small minority that most of the people who use our services won't stand for it. Even if we have one incident, we will not stand for it. It worries staff and it worries the trust. We have to be constantly vigilant."

He added: "It is extremely sad that we have to take this kind of action, but parts of society, and they are a small minority, have got to start taking responsibility for their actions."

The trust has also bought mobile phones for some departments and 1300 staff have been on training sessions to cope with violent situations.

Baby tags with extra electronic loops which trigger door locks have been introduced at Queen's Park's maternity unit, where a year ago a father highlighted security when he took his baby out of the ward and the tags failed to trigger the alarms.

He added that 24-hour security staff for A & E would continue.