Crimes reported at Maidstone Hospital have dropped by a third in the last year, according to figures obtained by the Kent Messenger.

But violent offences have overtaken theft as the most common reason for 999 call-outs.

In 2014, officers were sent to Hermitage Lane 10 times following reports of physical assaults, including two on police officers.

The majority occurred between 8.30pm and 3am.

Staff were on the receiving end of six violent attacks. These included an incident in which a hospital worker suffered a fractured jaw at the hands of someone who was later charged with GBH.

A patient and a member of the public were also assaulted in the same period.

In total, 24 crimes were recorded by police, down from 38 in 2013. A total of 14 thefts were reported in 2013, but that figure was down to five in 2014.

There were also three reports of criminal damage and public order offences, one of drugs possession and one of indecency, although no prosecution was brought because the suspect was deemed to be too ill.

Security management specialist at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Ron Faulds said: “We believe the encouragement for staff to be more security-aware, together with the deployment of a 24/7 security service has contributed towards the reported reduction in crime.

“Staff are encouraged to report all incidents during which some form of assault or aggression has occurred, whether criminally actionable or not.

“This could mean a physical attack by a violent patient or physical contact by someone with dementia.

“Every physical assault on a staff member is treated seriously, investigated and, where possible, made preventable for the future.

“However, ill health can mean we have to be prepared to deal with unpredictable behaviour.”

He said the trust would continue to work with partners.

Six charges were brought in total last year. Officers also gave out two cautions and one penalty notice, and one assault was resolved by restorative justice.