Frontline workers across Scotland suffer almost 60 attacks every day, new figures have shown.

NHS workers endure the worst, with around 31 incidents per day in hospitals and health centres.

Meanwhile, police officers suffered 18 assaults per day, with 6,657 cases recorded in 2022/23.

The figures – showing an average of 58.2 attacks per day – were obtained by 1919 Magazine, a monthly justice and social affairs publication.

It found, in the 11 months to November 2023, the average number of attacks per day faced by frontline workers in Scotland, was:

• NHS staff – 31 a day
• Police officers – 18 a day
• Retail workers – 7 a day
• Paramedics – 0.9 a day
• Prison officers – 0.8 a day
• Rail workers – 0.3 per day
• Firefighters – 0.2 a day

Police officer left force due to trauma

The magazine highlighted a knife attack in which a man was jailed last month for 12 years for the attempted murder of a police officer and assaulting two others during an incident in Glasgow in October 2022.

A female officer subsequently left the force due to the trauma.

David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “This incident was extremely traumatic for all concerned and it is a miracle that no one was more seriously injured.

“The references in this case to one of my colleagues having to leave the service as a result of this incident show that we should never underestimate the impact on our mental, as well as our physical health.”

The SPF, which represents rank-and-file officers, will continue to press the force to “ensure that we have adequate provision in place for all police officers who become injured doing their duty”.

‘We have to deal with consequences’

Mr Threadgold added: “As can be seen from this case, we occasionally deal with people who have no regard for their actions, the safety of either themselves or those they come into contact with, and we have to deal with the consequences.”

As well as the attacks on NHS staff and police, Scottish government figures showed there had been more than 500 convictions under the Protection of Workers Act – which created a specific offence of assaulting, threatening or abusing those working in retail.

In the 11 months to November 2023, there were 2,233 alleged incidents recorded under the legislation – the equivalent of roughly seven a day.

There were 279 assaults on prison officers in 2023, up from 178 the previous year.

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‘Overwhelmed by shocking rise in crime’

Dr Pete Cheema, Scottish Grocers’ Federation chief executive, said they were being “overwhelmed by the shocking rise in retail crime in recent years”.

He added: “These figures are only the tip of the iceberg, as thousands of tragic cases of shop theft, abuse and vandalism go unreported.”

Neil Gray, Scottish cabinet secretary for wellbeing economy, fair work and energy, said any abuse of workers was “completely unacceptable” and would “not be tolerated”.

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He added: “Workers across all sectors should be safe at work and should never have to experience abuse or violence when simply doing their job.

“We continue to encourage all organisations to support criminal proceedings against anyone who assaults staff.

“The courts have extensive powers, which include the Emergency Workers Act, to deal robustly with attacks. For serious assaults, offenders can face penalties of up to life imprisonment.”

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