Jobcentre staff 'bitten and attacked with screwdrivers', as 81% of security guards face 'dangerous incidents' at work

14 February 2025, 06:20 | Updated: 14 February 2025, 15:24

By Henry Riley

@HenryRiley1

LBC can exclusively reveal the results of a shocking Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union survey of job centre security staff.

A worrying survey of PCS Union staff, seen by LBC, suggests over 81% of security workers in job centres surveyed have been subjected to abuse at work in the last 12 months.

Martin Cavanagh, the president of the PCS Union,  told LBC that the “current climate of a harsher benefits regime increases the risk to security guards”. He admitted that “frustrations do overflow” and that security workers “bear the brunt of that”.

Mr Cavanagh expressed his concern for the G4S security staff on the frontline of implementing government policy by keeping job centres safe, but are being attacked by frustrated and disgruntled members of the public. G4S is a leading multinational security company.

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Instances of violence within the past year have included security being bitten, attacked with a screwdriver, spat at, threatened, slapped, punched, and threatened with weapons, as well as racism and aggression.

Worryingly, 50% of those surveyed reported that they had been threatened four or more times within the last 12 months, while 20% needed time off sick and one in ten required medical attention as a result.

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The union also claims that staff frequently find that their equipment fails, that they are understaffed, support staff are untrained, and that their employer G4S ‘seems to have no regard for their safety or wellbeing’.

A concerning 64% of respondents claimed that the personal mobile radios and body-worn cameras that are provided fail on a daily basis.

Fran Heathcote, the PCS General Secretary said that G4S “is expensive, inefficient and - as demonstrated by the plight of PCS members working on the DWP G4S contract - a public scandal.”

It comes as the Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, Kim Johnson, said the government "must take responsibility for the hostile environment they have created" as a result of stricter benefits rules.

In a statement, she said: "The horrific treatment of Jobcentre staff is completely unacceptable and underscores the urgent need for stronger protections and safeguards for all workers. No one should ever face violence or abuse in their workplace, yet security staff and frontline workers are being left completely vulnerable.

"The government must take responsibility for the hostile environment they have created – a direct result of their punitive and ever-tightening benefits system, which places both claimants and staff at risk.

"At the same time, the government’s reliance on outsourced contracts prioritises cost-cutting over safety, exposing serious flaws in workplace protections. Jobcentre staff deserve far better, and it’s time for real action to ensure their security and wellbeing."

A spokesperson for G4S told LBC “The health, safety and well-being of our colleagues and customers is paramount”

They added “Our security officers complete conflict management training as well as regular in-house refresher training on different aspects of interacting with the public.”

There are over 640 PCS members working for G4S in jobcentres across the country who are currently balloting to strike. The result of any potential action is expected on Friday 28th February.