Workplace violence to be tackled

Businesses in the Welshpool area that have day-to-day dealings with members of the public are to get advice and guidance on how to manage violence and aggression in the workplace.

Powys County Council has joined forces with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to tackle work-related violence and aggression in the county.

Over the next month, council officers will be visiting 20 premises including shops, clubs, pubs and takeaway establishments as part of the HSE's Managing Violence and Aggression in the Workplace campaign. The campaign is part of a national project involving all councils in Wales.

National statistics indicate that one worker is attacked or threatened every minute of the shopping day, causing stress and anxiety for those affected or at risk. People often have to take time off work after such incidents, causing more problems for business owners.

As many as 60 per cent of businesses experience crime but advice and guidance is on hand to businesses on how to deter criminals and keep staff safe.

Cllr Graham Brown, Board Member responsible for Public Protection, said: "Businesses shouldn't have to accept work-related violence as being 'part of the job' and the aim of the project is to raise awareness of the range of measures that can be taken to address aggression and violence, thereby contributing to efforts to reduce the effects of stress at work.

"This novel project will see us working with other agencies to keep businesses and their staff safe from the effects of crime.

"Simple measures can be taken to reduce the risk of crime, we don't want people being fearful. Many events and crimes go unreported but it's important that we learn about them so we can target our efforts accordingly."