HEALTH bosses in Leigh have boosted staff safety with the introduction of a new security team.

Trained security officers have been appointed by Wigan and Leigh Health Services NHS Trust to prevent violent and abusive behaviour towards staff.

Based in the accident and emergency unit at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, there will be two security officers on site at all times.

They are on a six month trial contract with a view to extending their role to all Trust sites.

Pauline Tagg, director of nursing and patient services at the Trust, said: "The security team will provide 24 hour cover to staff throughout the hospital and will react to incidents of violence immediately.

"The security officers have not been appointed to replace the police, who we work closely with, but to provide an immediate response to any incident and contain the situation until the police arrive.

"The security team has been appointed as part of a strategy which is currently being developed to reduce the risk of violence towards staff."

All female staff are equipped with personal attack alarms, as are a number of male staff in various departments throughout the Trust.

Bosses have also been in talks with police in a bid to recruit special constables from their staff.