The number of violent attacks on staff at the trust which runs Tolworth Hospital decreased last year.
There were no new figures for Tolworth Hospital itself, which saw 74 assaults between April 2008 and March this year.
But South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust said for 2008-09 there had been a total of 268 reported assaults, compared with 584 the year before, across all of its sites.
Tony Tawell, head of security, said: “Reducing the levels of violence and aggression against our staff is a key priority area for the trust and it is pleasing to see that the hard work we are putting into this is paying off.”
The figures predate a report in August to board members which recommended 24-hour security at Tolworth, where the Shamrock ward is reserved for patients who could be a danger to themselves or others.
It contains two beds in which police can put people who have been arrested and sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here