Health New Zealand says it is taking the latest assault of a nurse in Christchurch “very seriously.”

As first reported by chrislynchmedia.com, an emergency department nurse was attacked while walking to work on Monday night.

Senior Sergeant Paul Robertson told chrislynchmedia.com police are “investigating a report of a woman being assaulted on Hagley Avenue.”

“At around 8:20pm, the woman was walking to work and was hit in the back by two people on an electric scooter.

“Police are making inquiries,” Robertson said.

A hospital worker told chrislynchmedia.com that staff had been warned about the incident and were informed the offender tried to steal the nurse’s backpack. The nurse was treated in the Emergency Department for shoulder injuries.

Canterbury Group Director of Operations Hamish Brown said the safety of staff remains a top priority, both on and off the hospital campus.

“We have increased security measures at Christchurch Hospital, including extra night-time patrols, and we are considering further steps,” he said.

“This incident is being taken very seriously and is under police investigation. We are supporting the staff member involved and continuing to work with police.”

Brown added, “Any violence or aggression towards our staff or others is completely unacceptable.”