MPs have hit out at thugs who threaten or abuse ambulance crews after it emerged the number of attacks has almost doubled in recent years.
Figures released to Parliament showed the number of abusive or violent incidents in the Midlands rose from 223 in 2000-1 to 404 in 2002-3.
Mike Foster (Lab Worcester) and David Kidney (Lab Stafford) said they were shocked by the increase, and urged witnesses to any attack on ambulance staff to report them immediately to police.
Hereford & Worcester Ambulance Service reported that the number of assaults in one year had risen from 8 to
101. In Staffordshire, the number rose from 30 to 78, and in Warwickshire it rose from 14 to 39.
West Midlands Metropolitan Ambulance Service reported an increase in incidents from 171 to 186.
Mr Foster said it was disgraceful that crews should experience abuse and violent threats. He also warned that the lives of patients could be put at risk.
Ambulance workers made life and death situations and such distractions could have serious consequences, he said.
"Those involved should be ashamed of themselves. Ambulance crews do incredibly difficult jobs, face tremendous pressures to make sure they save lives and treat people quickly and effectively and any distraction to this puts lives at risk. I hope local people, when they get to hear about this, will be equally appalled and will do something about it.
"It is our own neighbours who are guilty. We should be able to put a stop to it."
David Kidney (Lab Stafford) said: "I hope the police, Crown Prosecution Service and Courts would treat this issue with the utmost severity."
Jenny Procter, of Hereford & Worcester Ambulance Service, said: "The marked increase in the number of violent or abusive incidents reflects an increased reporting of incidents.
"We encourage our staff to report all incidents, including all verbal abuse, and they are increasingly vigilant about doing so. We do not tolerate any form of abuse towards our staff. We support those who have been abused or assaulted and assist them in prosecuting offenders."
