POLICE have hailed a high visibility operation at the Royal Bolton Hospital a success.

Extra patrols were drafted in to the hospital's accident and emergency department over the Christmas and New Year period in a bid to prevent violent or anti-social behaviour.

Officers say the extra presence meant people were better behaved.

Just two people were arrested during the two-week operation.

A further seven people were warned about their behaviour.

No £80 on-the-spot fines had to be handed out for abusive or violent behaviour.

Chief Insp Martin Greenhalgh, of Greater Manchester Police's Bolton Division, said: "Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated anywhere in Bolton. In previous years, there has been a high level of this sort of behaviour in the hospital's accident and emergenc department.

"The Royal Bolton Hospital is working with the police to reduce this and there were virtually no incidents at all.

"All staff within accident and emergency now feel confident to report incidents of anti-social behaviour to the police who can administer swift justice."

The police statistics were released as the British Medical Association revealed that, nationally, one in three doctors have been physically or verbally attacked in the last 12 months.

One in 10 have been physically assaulted, with many punched, kicked, stabbed or bitten, the BMA said.

The Royal Bolton Hospital became the first hospital to bring police in to its casualty department during a pilot scheme between November, 2006, and February, 2007.

Since then, doctors, nurses and other medical staff have been passing on details of abusive patients to police, who are still issuing the fines.

Heather Edwards, the head of communications at the Royal Bolton Hospital, said: "It seems that the increased police presence and the possibility of fixed penalty fines did act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour. It was also very reassuring to hospital patients and staff."

Figures show violent patients, or their families and friends, attacked 42 hospital staff between March 2006 and April 2007 - six fewer than in the previous 12 months.

Permanent security staff are also employed at the hospital, who are backed by a CCT system.

Almost 2,000 Royal Bolton staff have been given training to deal with arguments and conflict.

The move has also been welcomed by a trade union at the hospital.

Joyce Robinson, chairman of the Bolton Health branch of Unison said: "One in 10 NHS staff attacked is one in 10 too many.

"We encourage all staff to report any form of violence so these incidents can be dealt with properly."