The Ambulance Service says attackers should be jailed

There have been 70 attacks on paramedics in the province in the past six months and incidents in Belfast and Londonderry are being reported on a weekly basis.

The level of attacks and abuse directed at crews has rised by 128% in the last year while attacks on doctors, nurses and other NHS workers in the province have risen to more than 5,000.

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Project Officer Mickey Hughes said offenders should be jailed for their crimes.

"We will demand jail every time," he said.

"If you assault a member of the Ambulance Service, we will do everything possible to ensure you receive the maximum penalty."

The consequences of this criminal behaviour could be someone dying - that's how serious this is Mickey Hughes Ambulance Service

One paramedic suffered serious head injuries in north Belfast when a concrete block was hurled through an ambulance window.

In another incident, youths in Londonderry threw a scooter under a vehicle as it tried to get a patient with a suspected heart attack to hospital, damaging the ambulance.

A major poster campaign is being launched on Tuesday by the service in a bid to stop the violence.

Two main messages will go up in shopping centres, GPs surgeries, pubs and clubs in the worst affected areas of north and west Belfast, Derry and Bangor.

Mr Hughes admitted there was no easy solution to a problem which he blamed on a break-down in social tolerance.

"Anyone in a uniform is now a target," he said.

"The consequences of this criminal behaviour could be someone dying. That's how serious this is."