§ 18. Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department plans to take to deal with violent assaults on Jobcentre staff. [11699]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownViolent assaults on Jobcentre staff in our 1,000 plus Jobcentres are extremely rare. In the year to 30 June 2001 out of 137 incidents involving assaults on staff only three were reported as requiring treatment for more than cuts and bruises.
In order to reduce the risk of assaults of any kind to an absolute minimum every Jobcentre is subject to a risk assessment, as a result of which a range of security measures are in force in each office. These can include, security guards, CCTV and panic alarms.
We will take determined action against customers who in any way threaten, attack or abuse our staff.