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North Manchester General Hospital

The zero tolerance campaign promises patients and the 800-bed hospital's 2,800 staff that any assault, ranging from threats and verbal abuse to a physical attack, will result in a prosecution.

Weapons displayed by trust bosses have been taken mainly from patients and visitors arriving at the hospital's accident and emergency department but the trust says staff throughout the hospital face similar dangers.

Representatives from the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, magistrates, lawyers and trade unions attended a conference aimed at highlighting the violence faced by nurses, doctors and support staff.

Trust bosses say many of the problems stem from gang fights where the injured from rival factions turn up for treatment still carrying weapons.

In other cases pub brawls spill over into A and E and in one incident a drunken woman tried to strangle a nurse with a telephone wire.

Last year tighter security measures were introduced at the hospital. Now most access and exit doors are locked after dark and security guards check all walking wounded and visitors at the casualty unit for offensive weapons.