Evening News, The Edinburgh Paper - 21st January 2009

Council Workers Facing Three Attacks from Public Each Day

Council workers in Edinburgh are facing up to three verbal or physical attacks from members of the public every day, new figures have revealed.

The daily abuse includes being threatened with knives, spat on and shouted at.

Figures released to the Evening News under freedom of information laws reveal there were 938 incidents of abuse reported in 2007-08 by council workers.

In one incident, an angry tenant is understood to have entered the former council offices on Waterloo Place and threatened staff with a knife.

Workers dealing with the public face-to-face – such as social workers, teachers and housing officers – are those taking the bulk of the flak.

The number of attacks on council staff has fallen in recent years, with just under 1000 last year compared to 1368 in 2005-06.

Council chiefs today said the drop in attacks was down to a more robust approach taken by the local authority in recent years.

However, union chiefs called on the council to take more action against the perpetrators of the attacks and called for more safety training for staff.

Unison's service conditions convener, John Ross, said a tougher stance needed to be taken to give workers protection.

He said: "We are dealing with people who are in conflict with the council, whether it is a complaint about housing or a repair, so stressful situations are anticipated. But this is three attacks a day too many.

"My own belief is that the figures are an underestimate because people don't report incidents and many think the attacks are part of their job, which is a culture we want to move away from.

"I would like to see the council take more action against the perpetrators but also provide staff with more training on how to handle these situations."

Among the attacks in recent years was a 2006 incident where a education worker in Muirhouse was doused in petrol by a gang of aggressive drug addicts.

He escaped unharmed but months later suffered a nervous breakdown, left his job and moved from the area.

In another incident, an environmental health worker was attacked with a drug addict's needle in a city centre flat.

He faced an agonising six-month wait before getting the all-clear for HIV and Aids.

Among the safety initiatives undertaken by the council in recent years was the purchase of more than 100 stab-proof vests, with the majority of these going to environmental wardens who issue on-the-spot fines for litter or dog fouling.

A council spokesman added: "The council regards the safety and wellbeing of its employees as paramount. Staff are actively encouraged to report any incidents with their line managers."