PHYSICAL assaults on workers at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust have dropped slightly, new figures show.

The number fell from 49 in 2013-14 to 43 in the past year, according to NHS Protect.

Rob Dearden – director of nursing at the trust, which runs Airedale Hospital – said it had a "zero tolerance" policy on any attacks.

He added: "We are pleased to see a decrease in the number of reported assaults on our staff, however we are not complacent.

"If our staff are assaulted they are encouraged to report it so that appropriate support can be given and because any violence or abuse towards our employees is unacceptable."

Attacks on Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust staff increased by almost ten per cent, from 921 in 2013-14 to 1,002 last year.

Nicola Lees – deputy chief executive and director of nursing at the trust, which operates a centre for mental health at the Airedale Hospital site – said: "The safety of staff and patients is always paramount.

"The increase in the number of incidents is due to a rise in the number of people we supported over the last year with challenging behaviours.

"The majority of these incidents were minor, such as a push.

"We work closely with service users and carers through our patient advice and complaints team to listen to concerns and understand what can lead to aggression."

Meanwhile, Yorkshire Ambulance Service Trust reported 148 assaults on its staff for the 2014-15 year, an increase from 110.