Violence at work

Demographics and trends

Trends:

The British Crime Survey and RIDDOR are very different data sources which do not measure the same aspects of work-related violence. For this reason it should not be expected that the trend over the years is necessarily the same. However, over the past three to four years, both major sources indicate that levels of work-related violence have been fairly stable. Prior to this RIDDOR figures were rising while BCS figures fell. Although it is not possible to say with certainty, this could be due to improvements in RIDDOR reporting levels over that period.

Age and sex:

The age and sex distribution of RIDDOR reportable violent incidents are shown in Table RVIOL02. This generally indicates that the rate is slightly higher among females and that for both males and females rates are highest in the younger age groups. The highest rate in any group is for females aged 20-24.

Estimates in the BCS 2006/07 show that 1.9% of men were victims of violence in the 12 months prior to interviews, compared with 1.3% of women, a statistically significant difference. The highest risk age groups for both men and women was 25-34. All of these findings are consistent with the figures from RIDDOR.

Occupation and industry:

The occupation and industry distribution of RIDDOR reportable injuries due to violence at work are shown in Tables RVIOL03, RVIOL04 and RVIOL05.

The industry breakdown of RIDDOR reportable injuries due to violence by far the greatest number of reports in the broad industry group of services, and more specifically the highest number of reports being within Human Health Activities, and Public Administration and Defence.

The BCS reports use sub-major occupational groups and the group with the highest risk of assaults from combined 2005/06 and 2006/07 figures is protective service occupations with a rate of five times the risk of any other sub-major occupational group. Again this is consistent with RIDDOR findings.

The sources quoted on the definitions and additional sources page provide further information on some of the most high-risk occupations or industries. Note these should not be directly compared with each other as the definitions and data collection methods will vary.

Offender characteristics:

In 2006/07, the BCS estimates that in 40% of assaults at work, the offender was under the influence of alcohol in the opinion of the victim, while an estimated 31% of threats at work were made by someone under the influence of alcohol. In an estimated 16% of cases of assault at work, the victim believed the offender was under the influence of drugs. For threats, this figure is estimated as 14%.

The relationship between offender and victim is also investigated in the BCS. In 2006/07, an estimated 56% of assaults on workers were perpetrated by a stranger, with the next highest grouping being clients or members of the public known through work (17%). An estimated 67% of threats were made by strangers, with 14% by clients or members of the public known through work.