The number of “no-go” addresses for ambulance crews in the north and north-east has soared in the last three years.
Shock new statistics have revealed there were 168 “red flagged” addresses in Grampian – properties which paramedics will only attend if they are accompanied by the police.
The figure represents a rise of 88% since 2012 when there were only 17 addresses deemed too dangerous to enter.
The picture in the Highlands is even more dramatic, with 62 addresses red flagged – a 93.3% rise from the 2012 figure of just six.
Homes are categorised by the ambulance service and police because of previous negative experiences where emergency workers have been attacked or threatened.
The figures, which were last updated in February and released under freedom of information legislation, reveal there are more than 2,800 addresses across Scotland deemed unsafe, compared with just 400 in 2012.
North-east Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said: “Our ambulance staff do an amazing job within the community and it’s a scandal they live in fear of being attacked while going about their normal duties.
“The punishment for these idiots who threaten our emergency workers should be severe enough to make it clear that this type of behaviour won’t be tolerated.
“It’s time for the SNP to get a grip and look into this issue. We need to protect our front-line ambulance staff from this unacceptable level of violence.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “Every year, ambulance crews report incidents of physical assault, ranging from pushing and punching to spitting and attack with a variety of weapons.
“They deserve more respect for their dedication to patient care, often provided in the most challenging of situations.”
Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health Jamie Hepburn said: “The Scottish Government takes the safety of our NHS staff very seriously, that is why they have the support of their police colleagues and are also protected by the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act, which can impose a penalty of up to 12 months imprisonment, a £10,000 fine, or both for those who attack our staff.”