Jobcentre safety workers bitten and attacked with screwdrivers by indignant punters

A survey carried out by PCS (Public and Commercial Services) Union has revealed that 81% of their security staff at Jobcentres are being subject to abuse, with some getting attacked with screwdrivers and bitten

Jobcentre security staff are being bitten by angry punters, a new survey has found.

A survey of PCS (Public and Commercial Services) Union staff, has found that an alarming four out of five (81%) G4S (security company at the Jobcentre) security workers have been abused in the last year. The findings showed that the front line workers are being threatened with weapons, attacked with screwdrivers, spat at and even bitten.

Martin Cavanagh, the president of the PCS Union, said: “Current climate of a harsher benefits regime increases the risk to security guards.” He said that “frustrations do overflow” and that security workers “bear the brunt of that”.

The union boss expressed his concern for the workers at the centres who are being attacked by disgruntled members of the public.

Horrifying examples within the past year include security being bitten, attacked with a screwdriver, spat at, threatened, slapped, punched, and threatened with weapons, as well as racism and aggression.

Exactly half of those surveyed said that they had been threatened four or more times within the last year.

Then, 20% have needed time off sick because of it and 10 workers have even needed medical attention. While, 64% claimed that their mobile radios, there for their protection, fail every single day.

A spokesperson for G4S said: “The health, safety and well-being of our colleagues and customers is paramount.”

They added: “Our security officers complete conflict management training as well as regular in-house refresher training on different aspects of interacting with the public.”

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