A paramedic crew was threatened and their ambulance attacked after responding to a call about a motorcyclist having a heart attack in Oxford.

Paramedics arriving in the Shepherds Hill area of Greater Leys found a group of about 15 youths, including the victim'. He was not in cardiac arrest, his injuries were not life-threatening and he was not on a motorbike.

During the incident on Saturday at 11pm, a screwdriver was allegedly used to threaten staff and stab the ambulance, which the patient was in at the time. It is thought he had been assaulted.

None of the paramedics was physically harmed, but repairs to the sliding door and windows will cost hundreds of pounds.

The attack has meant the ambulance is off the road at one of the busiest times of the year, as the pre-Christmas party season begins.

Ambulance service spokesman Helen Robinson said: "It means it won't be able to be used for several days.

"At a time when the emergency call rate is expected to rise, the service does not want to have vehicles off the road.

"This is potentially one vehicle less which can respond to life-threatening emergencies."

She said that ambulance crews regularly faced insults and abuse while carrying out their duties.

The divisional director for the trust, John Nichols, also condemned the attack. He said: "I am utterly appalled and I cannot stress strongly enough that I take incidents of this nature extremely seriously.

"I will move to prosecute any member of the public who either threatens my staff, or wilfully damages ambulance vehicles or equipment.

"I earnestly hope that during the coming season of goodwill, my staff are allowed the space and respect to do their jobs in safety."

A police spokesman said: "We take any criminal damage against any of the emergency services very seriously, especially as it means an ambulance has to be taken off the road."

* A 19-year-old woman has been arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and bailed in connection with the incident.