Council workers in Ealing experienced almost 100 assaults in the past year, according to figures obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests that reveal the continuing risk of violence faced by local authority staff across London over the past three years.
Data compiled by workplace injury specialists Legal Expert shows Ealing Council recorded 91 incidents of violence and intimidation towards staff in 2024–25 – down slightly from 104 the previous year but well above the 65 logged in 2022–23. Workplace injuries also remained high, with 84 recorded last year compared with 69 in 2023–24 and 78 in 2022–23.
In 2024–25, reported incidents of violence included 32 cases of aggressive behaviour, 11 of intimidation, 10 involving telephone or email abuse, and another 10 of verbal threats. There were six cases of violence causing minor injuries, four combining violence and verbal threats, three cases of violence without injury, and two of harassment.
Among those injured at work, slips and trips were the most common cause, accounting for 22 of the 84 recorded accidents. There were also nine injuries from contact with stationary objects, eight from falls, eight from moving objects, and eight from manual handling accidents. Other cases included five cuts from sharp objects, three building faults, three incidents involving bites from pupils or clients, and two injuries caused by tools or mechanical failure
Neighbouring boroughs reported similar trends over the same period. Brent recorded 98 assaults and 108 injuries, Harrow 267 assaults and 368 injuries, and Hillingdon 33 assaults and 232 injuries.
Across the 26 London boroughs that responded to Legal Expert’s FOI requests, more than 7,400 incidents of violence or abuse were reported since 2022, with Wandsworth and Hackney recording the highest totals — 1,355 and 969 respectively.
Kevin Brandstatter, national officer for the GMB union, described the levels of abuse as “horrifying”, warning that frontline staff are often left to deal with anger directed at council decisions. He said: “The level of verbal and physical abuse suffered by GMB members employed at local authorities is horrifying. These are front line workers, not well paid – but they’re left to deal with aggression from the public frustrated by decisions made by their council.”
He added: “GMB members are left to deal with angry tenants needing repairs to council housing, motorists raging about a parking ticket and furious parents complaining about the treatment of their children at school.”
Legal Expert solicitor Patrick Mallon said employers have a “legal duty of care” to protect workers and must take “realistic measures” to prevent harm.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our staff and contractors and carry out thorough risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential risks, which are regularly monitored to ensure their effectiveness.
“Staff are provided with comprehensive training, including conflict resolution and mental health support, equipping them with the skills to handle challenging situations and interact effectively with individuals who may have issues. Where necessary, lone working devices are issued, and all staff are encouraged to report incidents, including near misses. Each incident is reviewed and investigated, and staff are offered health and wellbeing support.”
