A MAN allegedly threatened paramedics with a hammer as they responded to an emergency 999 call at a Poole flat.

Paramedics were forced to call for police back-up so they could reach their patient, who is understood to have fallen into hypoglycemic shock at his Skinner Street address.

Witnesses said the ambulance crew was delayed for around ten minutes during the drama.

Dorset Police arrested one man at the scene, while the person in need of medical help was eventually treated by the South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS) paramedics in attendance.

He did not require hospital treatment, it has been confirmed.

One shocked neighbour told the Daily Echo: "It comes to something when paramedics who are on their way to help someone are threatened in this way.

"As they came through the door on the balcony a man, who had a hammer, started hurling abuse and threatening them.

"The person the paramedics were rushing to help was okay in the end, but the actions of this guy meant they were delayed in getting to him for at least ten minutes.

"Basically, they were prevented from doing their job."

Neighbours said police quickly responded, with around eight police cars attending the incident.

A South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS) spokesman said: "We attended a patient at their home and upon arriving at the scene our crew was verbally abused and threatened with a hammer by a man."

Dorset Police confirmed they received a call from the ambulance service requesting assistance at 6.39pm on Wednesday.

A police spokesman added: "It was reported that a man had behaved in an aggressive way.

"Officers attended and a Poole man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

"He was released on bail until the beginning of September pending further enquiries."

(Blob) Paramedics and ambulance staff working for South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS) reported 125 incidents of violent, aggressive and/or threatening behaviour while carrying out their duties last financial year.

A spokesman explained: "SWAS takes a zero tolerance approach to any form of abuse towards its staff.

"All reports of violence and aggression towards crews are taken seriously.

"Where there is sufficient evidence, the trust will place a warning marker on the address and on rare occasions our crews will request police support for addresses where repeat violent and/or aggressive behaviour is known."

SWAS says all of its frontline staff receive conflict resolution training.

"Every member of trust staff plays a vital role in serving the community by helping to deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time and staff should be able to fulfill their life-saving role without fear of abuse or assault," said the spokesman.

"The trust encourages all incidents to be reported as soon as possible so any necessary action can be taken."