Attacks on Scottish Ambulance Service staff have been branded "despicable" by the Scottish government.

New figures released on Sunday show that 460 assaults have been recorded since the start of 2015, of which 372 were physical.

The figures also indicated that over 2500 addresses in Scotland have been "red flagged", meaning ambulance staff can't enter without a police presence.

Although the number of assaults is set to be lower than in 2017, they have been seriously condemned by the Scottish government.

Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said: "Our emergency services constantly help people and save lives in difficult circumstances, often risking their own safety for others.

"It is disgraceful that anyone would assault them, physically or verbally, as they try to help others.

"While this year does seem to be on course to have fewer attacks, one attack on ambulance staff is one too many.

"More must be done to keep them safe, including tough action from the courts in response to anyone who has assaulted, or threatened, ambulance staff."

Current legislation outlines that individuals who commit offences against ambulance staff can face up to 12 months in prison, a £10,000 fine or both.

For more serious attacks, like assault, offenders can face up to life imprisonment.

In 2008, these regulations were extended to include health professionals working within the community.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Attacks against our ambulance staff are despicable and the perpetrators must be dealt with in the strongest possible terms.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said: "Our staff should not have to fear for their safety when treating patients and keeping them safe is of paramount importance to us.

"That is why we have introduced a range of measures to help protect them - individual addresses where staff have previously faced violence or threatening behaviour are automatically flagged to our crews, who can then request additional support, if required."