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Violent attacks on public service workers up | Violent attacks on public service workers up |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Violence against public service workers in Scotland rose again last year to more than 100 attacks every day. | Violence against public service workers in Scotland rose again last year to more than 100 attacks every day. |
A total of 37,052 incidents were reported to employers - up by 3,363 on the previous 12 months and by 17,000 since records began in 2006. | A total of 37,052 incidents were reported to employers - up by 3,363 on the previous 12 months and by 17,000 since records began in 2006. |
Unison's Scottish organiser Dave Watson described the attacks as "completely unacceptable". | Unison's Scottish organiser Dave Watson described the attacks as "completely unacceptable". |
He will present the union's annual survey of violent incidents to a health and safety conference on Friday. | He will present the union's annual survey of violent incidents to a health and safety conference on Friday. |
Mr Watson will use the Stirling University conference to highlight assaults on council workers, who have suffered four out of five austerity job cuts in Scotland. | Mr Watson will use the Stirling University conference to highlight assaults on council workers, who have suffered four out of five austerity job cuts in Scotland. |
They have seen a year on year increase in violent incidents of 850, bringing the total to 15,729. | They have seen a year on year increase in violent incidents of 850, bringing the total to 15,729. |
Mr Watson said: "These statistics record reported incidents and are therefore only the tip of the iceberg of misery faced by workers across Scotland's public services. | Mr Watson said: "These statistics record reported incidents and are therefore only the tip of the iceberg of misery faced by workers across Scotland's public services. |
"The biggest increase in violent incidents is happening in those services that have suffered staffing cuts. | "The biggest increase in violent incidents is happening in those services that have suffered staffing cuts. |
"Workers are stretched too thinly, dealing with service users who are coping with cuts in the services they rely on. | "Workers are stretched too thinly, dealing with service users who are coping with cuts in the services they rely on. |
"This is a toxic cocktail that is putting hard-pressed workers at greater risk of violent assault." | "This is a toxic cocktail that is putting hard-pressed workers at greater risk of violent assault." |
'Better legal protection' | 'Better legal protection' |
Scott Donohoe, chairman of Unison Scotland's health and safety committee, called for better legal protection for workers in the civil and criminal courts. | Scott Donohoe, chairman of Unison Scotland's health and safety committee, called for better legal protection for workers in the civil and criminal courts. |
There were 330 convictions under the Emergency Workers Act last year. | There were 330 convictions under the Emergency Workers Act last year. |
But critics have said that due to the "limited scope of the Act", few violent incidents result in criminal action. | But critics have said that due to the "limited scope of the Act", few violent incidents result in criminal action. |
A Scottish government spokesman said justice agencies were already taking "tough action" against attacks on council staff and other public service workers. | A Scottish government spokesman said justice agencies were already taking "tough action" against attacks on council staff and other public service workers. |
The spokesman added: "We agree that all workers, whether they deal with the public or not, should be able to go about their daily working lives without the threat of attack. | The spokesman added: "We agree that all workers, whether they deal with the public or not, should be able to go about their daily working lives without the threat of attack. |
"That is why there is already protection in place under Scotland's common law of assault, which offers maximum penalties of up to life imprisonment and unlimited fines. | "That is why there is already protection in place under Scotland's common law of assault, which offers maximum penalties of up to life imprisonment and unlimited fines. |
"This gives the police, prosecutors and courts the tools to ensure those who attack public-facing workers can be dealt with appropriately and effectively. | "This gives the police, prosecutors and courts the tools to ensure those who attack public-facing workers can be dealt with appropriately and effectively. |
"More people than ever before are being convicted under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 with the penalty up to 12 months imprisonment, a £10,000 fine or both." | "More people than ever before are being convicted under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 with the penalty up to 12 months imprisonment, a £10,000 fine or both." |
Unions have also accused the UK government of "undermining protection for workers" with cuts to the Criminal Injury Compensation scheme. | |
In response the Ministry of Justice said it was determined to provide the best support for victims of crime, but funded by offenders not tax-payers. |
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