Council workers have been on the end of more 200 verbal or violent attacks

Management are now facing calls to do more to stamp out the problem, with lowest paid workers said to be particularly at risk.

Local union bosses also warn that the extent of the problem is much worse than official figures suggest.

A new report has revealed that around a worrying catalogue of cases of violent or verbal abuse against local authority staff - including attacks on school staff by pupils.

Other council employees have been targeted by members of public.

Unison's branch secretary Robin Taggart says those at the greatest risk are learning support staff in schools and parking attendants enforcing restrictions in the streets.

Mr Taggart said: "It is fair to say that for every one incident recorded there are a number, as many as three, that are not recorded.

"We also carried out research which showed in schools learning support staff are more likely to be assaulted.

"It is a fact they are the lowest paid in schools.

"We would like to see the council do more to make sure that proper procedures are in place to protect staff.

"I am not convinced that it is always the place.

"There should be time out for staff after an incident, there should be a briefing.

"Although it is not always the answer to exclude pupils, schools are very reluctant to do this.

"But there must be a balance between protecting staff and responsibility to pupils."

The local branch secretary also criticised local elected members for publicly slamming parking attendants.

He said: "I think it needs to be made clear that they are simply imposing the parking restrictions set down by the council. If people have a complaint it should be with the council.

"Then you have elected members criticising them for carrying out restrictions that they put in place."

The figures were included in a report on the Inverclyde Council 4,100-strong workforce.

A council spokesman said: “Every employee of the council regardless of their role is providing a service to our communities.

“Under no circumstance is it acceptable or excusable to treat staff in any kind of abusive manner whether that is physical or verbal.

“We take every single instance of abuse seriously and will always take appropriate action up to and including reporting matters to the police.”