Joint working to reduce violence against workers under the National Assault Pledge

Emergency services, prosecutors and health colleagues are among those supporting a National Assault Pledge underlining a joint commitment to reduce violence and abuse against workers.

The National Assault Pledge builds upon Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone’s Assault Pledge, developed in response to a concerning increase in violence and abuse against Police Scotland officers and staff. The Chief Constable’s Assault Pledge was published in August 2020 with the support of the then Lord Advocate and Cabinet Secretary for Justice.

Since then, local pledges have been developed by services in Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

The national partnership group includes British Transport Police, NHS Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Ambulance Service and others. The group will share best practice, develop preventative measures and use consistent messaging in their workplace to support and encourage staff to report incidents.

The National Assault Pledge was agreed by signatories at an event at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, on Tuesday, 15 November.

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor QPM has been leading Police Scotland’s drive to reduce the impact violence and abuse has on officers and staff and introduce measures to improve their safety.

DCC Taylor said: “Being the victim of an assault can have a long lasting impact both physically and mentally. It’s not simply part of the job.

“Working in partnership with a number of key organisations highlights our collective approach and united pledge to reduce assaults at work.

“I want our officers and staff to feel supported and this partnership adds to work already ongoing in this area.”

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC said: "Assaults on front line workers will not be tolerated and Scotland's prosecutors will help protect their safety through robust action.

"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service work closely with police to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of crime.

“Any criminal behaviour that threatens public safety and the safety of front line workers will be taken very seriously."

In 2021/22, there were 7,858 common assaults against emergency workers – an increase of 12 per cent compared to the previous year. Over 7,000 of these were against police officers and staff.

Improved operational safety training, a Taser uplift programme and partnership with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to introduce impact statements are some of the work that has been driven within Police Scotland to support officer and staff safety.