Scotland: Attacks on public workers decline

from BBC News

The total number of assaults against public sector workers in Scotland has fallen in the past year, official figures have suggested.

Unison Scotland obtained up-to-date data under a freedom of information request which showed 25,046 incidents were recorded in 2008 to 2009.

The figure was a drop of 7,221 over the previous year’s total of 32,267.

Despite the fall Unison called for “decisive action” from employers and politicians to cut assaults further.

Details of the abuse directed at public sector workers will be presented to the union’s annual Health and Safety conference in Stirling.

The report will reveal that although the total is down on the previous year, the number of incidents involving local government workers has increased.

Unison Scottish organiser Dave Watson said: “A reduction in the headline figure on violence against staff is welcome – but any act of violence on a member of staff going about their business of providing vital public services is completely unacceptable. To have over 25,000 in a year is shocking.”

Mr Watson said that where monitoring and preventative measures were in place an improvement in the figures could be seen.

Meanwhile, a survey has found public transport staff are having to bear the brunt of passengers’ anger when services fail.

Outside London, the greatest number of physical assaults on public transport officials was recorded in Scotland, according to a survey by security company G4S.