Violence at Work Statistics Released

The number of violent incidents at work has remained stable over the last four years and has declined over the last decade, according to findings from the Crime Survey for England and Wales. 

 The findings reveal that in 2012/13:

• The risk of being a victim of actual or threatened violence at work was similar to the last few years, with an estimated 1.4 per cent of working adults the victims of one or more violent incidents at work;
• 323,000 adults of working age in employment experienced work related violence including threats and physical assault;
• There were an estimated 649,000 incidents of violence at work, comprising 332,000 assaults and 317,000 threats. This compares to an estimated 643,000 incidents in 2011/12, an increase of 1 per cent; 
• 1.2 per cent of women and 1.6 per cent of men were victims of violence at work once or more during the year prior to their interview;
• It is estimated that 60% of victims reported one incident of work related violence, whilst 16% experienced two incidents of work related violence and 24% experienced three or more incidents;
• Strangers were the offenders in 60 per cent of cases of workplace violence. Among incidents where the offender was known, the offenders were most likely to be clients or a member of the public known through work;
• Victims of actual or threatened violence at work said that the offender was under the influence of alcohol in 38 per cent of incidents, and that the offender was under the influence of drugs in 26 per cent of incidents;
• The survey found 51 per cent of assaults at work resulted in injury, with minor bruising or a black eye accounting for the majority of the injuries recorded; and
• RIDDOR reported 3,697 over 7 days injuries for acts of violence in the workplace.