§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to introduce additional security measures for benefits offices after screens have been removed; whether these plans include(a) CCTV cameras and (b) security guards; and if he will make a statement. [32762]
§ Mr. Nicholas Brown[holding answer 6 February 2002]There are no plans to remove protective screens from Benefits Agency offices until they are converted into fully integrated offices of the new Jobcentre Plus service.
In very Jobcentre Plus area there will continue to be screened provision for dealing with those customers and transactions known to give rise to particular risk. The precise type and location of this provision will depend on the recommendations of the risk assessments carried out in each individual Jobcentre Plus office. We have a zero tolerance policy under which determined action will be taken against anyone threatening or abusing Jobcentre Plus staff.
724W56 Jobcentre Plus pathfinder offices are already open and operating effectively—with positive feedback from staff and customers. For each of these offices a full health and safety risk assessment has been conducted and its recommendations implemented in full.
Examples of measures implemented to support the safety of staff and improved customer service as a result of the risk assessments include:
Close circuit television;Floor managers to greet customers and guide them through their visit;Ecurity guards with clear instructions as to when to intervene;Screened facilities to deal with situations likely to give rise to particular risk.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions have been brought against perpetrators of physical assault on Benefits Agency and Employment Service staff in each year since 1997; and how many resulted in successful prosecutions. [32649]
§ Mr. Nicholas Brown[holding answer 5 February 2002]: majority of prosecutions in cases of physical assault on Benefits Agency and Employment Service staff are criminal prosecutions brought by the police. The Department does not keep statistics on such cases.
In addition, both the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service refer some cases to the Department's solicitor for consideration of proceedings where the police have decided not to prosecute. The Benefits Agency does not keep statistics on such cases. The Employment Service has referred 13 such cases since 1 April 1996, four of which have resulted in successful prosecution. A yearly breakdown of these cases is in the table.
Year1 Submitted for prosecution Successful prosecution 1996–97 4 3 1997–98 4 — 1998–99 1 — 1999–2000 2 — 2000–01 1 1 1 1 April to 31 March
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incidents of(a) verbal assault and (b) physical assault reported in Benefits Agency offices in the last 12 months took place in (i) a reception area, (ii) an unscreened office and (iii) a screened office. [32645]
§ Mr. Nicholas Brown[holding answer 5 February 2002]The information is in the table.
Benefits Agency incidents (2001) Physical assaults Verbal assaults, Unscreened area 103 914 Screened area 31 1,422 Unknown location 1 43 Notes:
1. The figures are based on the number of cases reported so far. Other incidents could have taken place but have not yet been reported.
2. Of the assaults in known locations, 23 physical assaults and 1,100 verbal assaults occurred in reception. The reception in Benefits Agency offices is generally a screened area.
725W