A union has called on universities to improve safety for staff after revealing what it said was a "catalogue" of attacks and crimes against workers.

The image of universities as havens of tranquility, often existing apart from the real world, has been challenged by the Transport and General Workers' Union.

The union pointed to a number of incidents which it said had been reported by support staff at universities across the UK. These, it said ranged from serious assaults to thefts.

It has urged university chiefs to introduce measures designed to protect staff.

In one incident, the union said a security guard at Paisley University in Scotland had her soft drink spiked with aftershave and had to go to hospital for treatment.

It also received a report on security guards at a Belfast campus who were pistol whipped by attackers who were trying to steal cars.

And cleaners at an unnamed South of England university were said to have been terrorised by a naked student.

Chris Kaufman, national secretary of the union, compiled the dossier and said: "Students and support staff are vulnerable to drug and drink-related attacks as campuses are so open to outsiders.

"We are calling for a series of crime prevention measures, including awareness training for staff, improved lighting, self-defence classes and attack alarms."