Attacks on mental health workers are on the increase, it was revealed today.

Twelve per cent of South Downs Health NHS workers in Brighton were physically or verbally abused by patients in the past year.

In all, 283 members of staff reported incidents ranging from insults to extreme violence between October 1999 and September 2000.

The number is higher than last year's figure of 246 but the trust claims the alarming trend is slowing.

In 1998, the number of reported incidents rocketed by 35 per cent from 182.

The trust's 2,300 employees are being encouraged to report incidents no matter how minor.

An action plan launched last year to tackle the problem of aggression is starting to take effect and bosses expect to see the figure drop in 2001.

Drugs and alcohol are thought to be responsible for a high proportion of incidents but a constant demand for mental health beds means nurses do not always have time to attend to patients' needs, fuelling frustrations.

Sarah Piper, the trust's clinical risk manager, said: "We are never going to be able to completely stop incidents from taking place because of human nature being what it is, but that does not mean people should accept it as part of the job.

"We are constantly taking active steps to prepare, train and protect staff so they can avoid potentially violent or aggressive situations.

"The situation is constantly monitored and reviewed."

Incidents in the last year have ranged from attacks on support staff to an assault on a community nurse.

But the majority of cases involve threatening behaviour or abuse and do not lead to injury.

The trust is ensuring specialist psychology and psychiatric staff are available at short notice to give support to victims.

A range of posters spelling out the message that violence will not be tolerated are also being prepared, while closer links are being forged with Sussex Police.