Violence and harassment in the workplace

Crime Survey for England and Wales publishes statistics on work-related violence for 2023 to 2024

Reported incidents

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) has recently published statistics (Statistics - Violence at work) on the number of reported work-related incidents involving violence at work. The statistics are based on data which was collated between March 2023 - March 2024.

According to CSEW during this period there were 642,000 incidents of violence (threats and assaults) reported in the workplace. Of the total reported incidents, 290,000 were assaults and 352,000 related to threats.

An estimated 279,000 adults experienced violence at work, making the risk of being a victim of actual or threatened violence at work as 1.1% (consistent with the previous year).

Alcohol was noted as a key risk factor for such incidents; workers reported an offender was under the influence of alcohol in 52% of assaults and 24% of threats.

Relationship between offender and victim

As part of their investigations, the CSEW considered the relationship between the victim and the offender. The report noted that 60% of offenders were strangers and unknown to the victim.

Of the 40% of incidents where the offender was known to the worker, they were more likely to be a client or member of the public known through work (24%) as opposed to via a personal relationship. A small portion (3%) involved the offender being a colleague.

Occupation

The data lists the top five highest risk occupational groups as:
i.    Protective service occupations;
ii.   Health and social care associate professionals;
iii.  Sales;
iv.   Health professionals; 
v.    Other managers and proprietors.

The impact of workplace violence

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published a report on 12 February 2025, Violence at Work statistics, 2023/24, with reference to CSEW’s most recent statistics. The report suggests 34.6% of the Total Incidents (assaults and threats) resulted in physical injury to workers. The majority of workers suffered minor bruising or black eyes. Additional reported injuries were scratches, cuts, severe bruising or ‘other injuries’ comprising of inter alia, puncture or stab wounds, broken bones, nose bleeds, dislocation, internal injuries and facial or head injuries.

In addition to physical injuries sustained, it is inevitable a worker’s mental health will be impacted following incidents of this nature, particularly if it leads to a fear of repetition, either from the same individual or in similar circumstances. This may be particularly prominent in sectors where violent abuse is likely to occur regularly, and in some cases on a daily basis such as in healthcare settings. The British Medical Association (BMA) published an article on 28 October 2024, The effects of workplace violence, which noted some of the mental health consequences for staff who suffer violence at work. It provided a non-exhaustive list including fatigue, disturbed sleep or eating patterns and feelings of anger, sadness, worthlessness. The BMA commented that impacts such as these can lead to attrition of specialities and is a potential risk to all employers. Such impacts on workers and businesses only highlight the importance for employers to continually monitor and implement necessary measures to prevent or mitigate the risk of violence to workers. For further guidance on employer’s duties and action that can be taken, see our article, Violence and harassment in the workplace.

What do the statistics mean?

The HSE acknowledges in its 2023 to 2024 report that the number of reported violent incidents fluctuates on an annual basis. Nevertheless, when comparing these figures with those published by the CSEW from 2010 onwards (note a gap between March 2020 and October 2021 due to COVID-19), the years 2023 to 2024 have one of the lowest reported violent incidents for both assaults and threats. This compares to years 2014 and 2015 where there were over 400,000 reported incidents. There arguably appears to be a general decline in reported violent incidents since around 2015 and 2016. While positive overall, such incidents still have a significant impact on the individual victims.

It is not ascertained whether this decline (albeit some fluctuations) has been a secondary result of ongoing public discussions around worker safety and protecting those in the workplace. Such discussions have been fuelled by workers rightly raising concerns, supported by national campaigners such as USDAW, with its Freedom From Fear Campaign. Campaigns such as this strive to raise public awareness and offer support to companies on workplace issues. They can be deemed to play a significant role in directing parliamentary focus and alerting senior members of companies of their duties and responsibilities to ensure staff members are protected from violence and harassment in the workplace.

An example of this was in April 2019, when as a result of increased awareness and pressure, the government acknowledged issues of violence and physical injury towards workers and issued a Call for Evidence from shop workers. The purpose was to enable the government to build its understanding of ongoing issues shopworkers were facing, with the view of taking action to limit harm. It is arguable this was the government’s first significant step in addressing the problems, which has somewhat led Parliament five years later, to consider and undergo the necessary process to implement statutory change. On 27 November 2024, Parliament published the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Amendment) Bill. This details proposals to include specific reference to violence and harassment in outlining an employer’s duties to protect employees. For further information on the contents of the bill, see our recent article, Violence and harassment in the workplace: draft Bill published – what does this mean for businesses?

Concluding remarks

Whilst there appears to be some decline in the number of reported incidents of violence in the workplace, thousands of workers are faced with violence at work. Many such incidents will go unreported, being seen as part of the job. Businesses have very clear duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and its associated regulations to ensure worker safety so far as is reasonably practicable. 

Clyde & Co are specialists in dealing with violence at work claims, and we continuously monitor developments around this topic. For more on this subject, you can read all of our previous articles here, and if you have any questions about this topic you can contact Alan Kells or any of our Safety, Health, Environmental and Regulatory team.