STAFF at a Worcester dental centre are having to work behind security screens to shield them from violent and abusive patients.

Worcestershire Community and Mental Health NHS Trust has been forced to install the safety guard after a spate of violent incidents towards women receptionists at the Lowesmoor dental drop-in centre.

On one occasion, four youngsters started urinating in the reception area of the centre.

Shocked staff had to ask them to leave the premises.

The next day, one of the offenders returned to the centre with his father demanding treatment, but was escorted off the premises by police.

The type of people who live near the centre are being partly blamed for the intimidation, as similar centres in Evesham and Kidderminster are not having similar problems.

But the huge volume of patients may also be at fault, as people often become frustrated when having to wait for treatment.

"We've had several problems at Lowesmoor, and I've tried to look into why it's happening there and not at Evesham and Kidderminster," said Finbarr Costigan, service director for the specialist services directorate at the Trust.

"I think that part of the problem is geography, and so do the staff - the part of the city the centre is in means many of the people who come in have other problems including drink and drugs.

"These are the kind of people we are having to deal with."

The Trust decided to take action after Health and Safety officers visited the centre and talked to staff.

They suggested putting up a protective screen around the reception area, and staff were also sent on anger-management courses to learn how to handle violent and abusive patients.

"We have a zero tolerance policy towards incidents like this, and our number one priority's the safety of our staff," said John Calvert, chairman of the Trust.