A SPIKE in violence against staff in the public sector means the problem has now reached “epidemic” proportions, a union has warned.

Unison Scotland’s 2017 survey revealed 42,421 reports of violent incidents compared to 41,166 in the 2016 survey. The figure covers staff at councils, health boards, colleges, universities and other public bodies, and is more than double the number recorded in the first survey in 2006.

Councils reported a rise in violent incidents from 17,605 to 22,006. In the NHS there was a rise from 17,116 to 19,170. Unison said the increase was partly down to improved awareness and reporting, but called for tougher action against the problem.

The union wants specific legal protection for all workers in the public sector similar to that afforded to emergency workers through the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005.

Scott Donohoe, Unison health and safety committee chair, said: “Violent attacks on public service staff have more than doubled in the last decade but the numbers keep on rising, and we have real concerns that this figure of 42,421 is just the tip of the iceberg.

“There are still public sector employers for which low figures and poor information on the issue suggests we still face a good deal of under-reporting.Whether reported or not, every assault on a worker serving the public is an assault too many.

“If we do not have accurate and reliable systems for reporting all violence against public sector workers, truly effective measures to overcome and eliminate the problem will be impossible to achieve.

“The massive scale of the problem of violence against public sector workers – including those in the community and voluntary sector – has begun to emerge over the last decade.

“It is now time for action by employers and stronger legislation, regulation and oversight by government.”