The Home Office’s Violence at Work: Findings from the British Crime Survey shows 1.2 million incidents were recorded in 1997. The figure is made up of 523,000 physical assaults and 703,000 threats by a member of the public against someone who was working.
The study, by senior researcher Tracy Budd, was highlighted at a conference on violence at work last week and recommended that employers play a bigger role in tackling the problem. The figures equate to 2.8 per cent of working adults being the victim of at least one violent incident at work in 1997.
According to the study, police officers are most at risk of violence at work followed by social workers and probation workers, publicans and bar staff, and security guards. Also at high risk are nurses and other healthcare professionals, particularly medical practitioners; transport workers, managers and proprietors in retail sales; and national and local government administrators or managers.
Sixteen per cent of physical assaults at work involved offenders under the age of 16. The survey also found victims have a high risk of experiencing a repeat incident.
Almost a fifth (18 per cent) of assault victims experienced two incidents in a year, and a further 29 per cent experienced three or more incidents. The level of repeat victimisation is similar for threats.
web link www.homeoffice.gov.uk
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