Birmingham’s job centre staff are being subjected to an increasing tirade of abuse and attacks, figures show.
Last year saw 867 reports in Birmingham and Solihull job centres – up from 566 just five years before, a rise of 53 per cent, a Freedom of Information request revealed. Most of the attacks were verbal but some led to cuts and bruises, and more serious injuries.
Over the five-year period there were 84 physical assaults along with 109 attempted attacks in spite of staff being equipped with panic alarms, and many meetings taking place behind a glass barrier.