NHS bosses are joining forces with Sussex Police to help encourage more staff to report attacks by patients.

Operation Cavell, a pact between the force and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, was launched this month.

The trust, which provides mental health services across the county, says there have been 521 assaults on its staff in one year but there have only been 14 criminal sanctions against offenders.

Most of the incidents have taken place within the county’s secure mental health establishments.

Many cases are not reported by staff to the trust and only a few are reported to the police.

Trust head of social care Marian Trendell said: “We are very fortunate to have such good partnership working with Sussex Police.

“This relationship has meant that when concerns were raised about the high number of assaults on our staff, with very few sanctions, a Detective Chief Inspector was appointed to work with me to improve the situation.

“The pact is the outcome of that work, to raise awareness and understanding that being assaulted is not an occupational hazard but an offence, in the same way as when a member of the public or a police officer is assaulted.

“We want our staff to feel safe and valued so that they can continue to provide the best possible level of care to our patients.”

An agreement has been signed by Chief Constable Giles York and trust chief executive Colm Donaghy, to illustrate that both organisations will be working together to tackle violence and anti-social behaviour against NHS staff.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Bates said: "Many incidents are dealt with informally by managers, but where matters are reported to police, staff should be confident that we will support them and take positive action.

"We do not tolerate violence being used against our officers and Operation Cavell is about ensuring that our colleagues in other caring and emergency services can expect the same level of support when violence is used or threatened against them."