The figures from Scotland’s local authorities and health boards, which were obtained by UNISON through Freedom of Information, show that the level of violent attacks increased over the last year by over 2,000 bringing the figure to 25,157, compared to the previous years’ total of 23,272.

Dave Watson, UNISON’s Scottish policy organiser, criticised the inconsistency of reporting figures, saying: “These figures show that – particularly in local government - employers are still not taking the threat of violence to their staff seriously. All the positive advertising campaigns in the world cannot have the impact they should unless employers encourage reporting, collect and monitor information on violent incidents. 

“We highlighted this problem last year, but if anything it seems to have got worse! – in one case a local authority who could not provide figures from the Education Department last year, could only provide figures from the Education Department this year!!  If no-one is adding up the numbers, authorities can have no idea how many assaults are taking place in any area.”

In addition, he also called for the Emergency Workers Act to be extended to cover other public service workers at risk.

“The Government must extend the scope of the Emergency Workers Act and maintain its effectiveness. We will be making further representations to parliament, and if necessary, a private members bill will be introduced to either amend the 2006 Act, or introduce a further bill.”