Hundreds of streets across Ayrshire have been declared too dangerous for ambulance crews to attend without police back-up.

There are nearly 4,500 properties across Scotland which have been subjected to the Scottish Ambulance Service’s ‘red flag’ policy.

Because of previous violent incidents at the home or business, paramedics are not permitted to enter unless officers are also present, even in the event of a medical emergency.

A freedom of information request, by justice and social affairs publication 1919 Magazine, has revealed that 532 addresses across Ayrshire are flagged under the list.

This includes Ayrshire’s KA1 postcode with 134 addresses, which covers much of Kilmarnock and villages to the south of the town.

The full list and number of addresses in each area can be found below...

EAST AYRSHIRE

  • KA1 (Kilmarnock, including the town centre, Bonnyton, Grange, Bellfield, Riccarton, Shortlees and Caprington, as well as Hurlford - 134
  • KA16 (Newmilns and Greenholm) - less than 5
  • KA17 (Darvel) - less than 5
  • KA18 (Cumnock, Auchinleck, Ochiltree, New Cumnock, Muirkirk, Smallburn, Lugar, Logan) - 20
  • KA2 (Knockentiber, Crosshouse, Dundonald) - 86
  • KA3 (Longpark, Hillhead, Knockinlaw, Altonhill, Onthank, Beansburn, Southcraigs, New Farm Loch, Whinpark, Kilmaurs, Stewarton, Dunlop, Lugton, Fullwood, Kingsford, Fenwick, Crookedholm) - 29
  • KA4 (Galston, Moscow) - less than 5
  • KA5 (Mauchline, Tarbolton, Catrine, Sorn) - 9

NORTH AYRSHIRE

  • KA11 (Irvine, including Perceton, Lawthorn, Girdle Toll, Stanecastle, Bourtreehill, Broomlands, Dreghorn, Springside) - 13
  • KA12 (Irvine, including the town centre, Fullarton and Stanecastle) - 23
  • KA13 (Kilwinning) - 13
  • KA14 (Beith, Glengarnock, Longboat) - less than 5
  • KA15 (Beith, Glengarnock, Longboat) - 5
  • KA20 (Stevenston) - 21
  • KA21 (Saltcoats) - 22
  • KA22 (Ardrossan) - 23
  • KA24 (Dalry, Drakemyre) - 6
  • KA25 (Kilbirnie) - 5
  • KA27 (Arran) - less than 5
  • KA30 (Largs) - less than 5

SOUTH AYRSHIRE

  • KA26 (Girvan, Turnberry, Dailly, Old Dailly, Ballantrae, Colmonell, Barrhill ) - less than 5
  • KA6 (Ayr, includuing Mossblown, Annbank, Coylton, Dalrymple, Hollybush, Drongan, Rankinston, Patna, Waterside, Dalmellington, Bellsbank) - 11
  • KA7 (Ayr, including the town centre, Holmston, Forehill, Belmont, Castlehill, Kincaidston, Alloway, Doonfoot, Masonhill, Dunure) - 12
  • KA8 (Ayr, including Braehead, Newton, Woodfield, Heathfield, Whitletts, Lochside, Dalmilling, Craigie, Wallacetown) - 49
  • KA9 (Prestwick, Monkton) - 8
  • KA10 (Troon, Barassie, Muirhead, Loans) - 11
  • KA19 (Maybole, Crosshill, Straiton, Dundonald) - 12

Amid growing concerns about Police Scotland’s resourcing, the Scottish Police Federation warned that it will be “physically impossible to go to everything” in the near future.

Brian Jones, vice chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said: "We fully understand why ambulance crews won’t go to places if they think they’re going to be attacked.

“But the police are the service of last resort – we have no choice in the matter.

“In the near future there will come a point when a decision will have to be made about what we can’t go to, because it will be physically impossible to go to everything.

“These incidents just show how society is changing – and it is just another thing which is placing a demand on resource policing when things are getting tighter.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Should any request for assistance be received from SAS with regard to attending addresses we will respond as appropriate.

“We will continue to support our emergency service colleagues as required.”

The Scottish Ambulance Service and the Scottish Government have been contacted for comment.