Riots and violence exacerbate the UK’s employee personal safety crisis. Peoplesafe reports a 10% increase in demand for personal safety alarms over the past fortnight as more businesses prioritise genuine safety measures over mere tick-box compliance.
As the recent spate of riots and violence continues to send shockwaves through workplaces and communities, leading personal safety technology provider Peoplesafe has observed a 10% surge in demand for personal safety alarms in the last two weeks alone.
This sharp increase, alongside extensive media coverage, highlights the serious concerns workers across various sectors have regarding their personal safety. Staff who work alone, especially in retail, hospitality, and healthcare, are feeling increasingly vulnerable.
“Incidents like these bring personal safety concerns to the forefront, but this is not solely due to isolated events—it’s an ongoing issue,” says Peoplesafe CEO Naz Dossa, who also serves as the Chair of the Lone Working Group at the BSIA.
Research shows that seven million workers in the UK worry about their safety each week. Even before the riots, 57% were already anxious about facing aggression from the public, and one in four were reluctant to take roles involving face-to-face interaction with the public. Personal safety concerns were cited by 62% as a significant factor.
This situation is unacceptable. Everyone, regardless of their background, has an absolute right to feel safe and secure at work. Excuses are no longer viable. Ensuring the personal safety of the UK’s workforce must extend beyond traditional 9-5 office hours. Recent events have made it clear that our workforce requires this support not only on the job but also during their commute.
While no employer can eliminate every threat, they can certainly provide comprehensive support and essential resources, including personal safety technology, to mitigate risks and offer employees peace of mind with the assurance that an emergency response is available if needed.
Case Study: Ingenica Solutions
Ingenica Solutions, a leading provider of bespoke software solutions for the healthcare sector, approached Peoplesafe after their staff, who visit NHS Trusts and community hubs, voiced concerns about their safety.
Ingenica Solutions Executive Chairman, Stephen O’Callaghan, says: “We take great pride in our culturally diverse team and were deeply concerned about their personal safety following the recent unrest.
Introducing personal safety technology into our business was already under consideration, but recent events have pushed it to the top of our HR agenda. Our response was swift, with all Ingenica field staff now equipped with the Peoplesafe app as an additional layer of protection, alongside our standard company safety protocols and HR guidelines. As employers, while we may not be able to eliminate all personal safety threats, we can certainly take steps to reduce them.
The Peoplesafe App provides our staff with peace of mind, knowing they can trigger an immediate emergency response, which is invaluable. Moreover, this protection extends beyond standard working hours, as the app operates 24/7.”
Naz Dossa, CEO of Peoplesafe, adds: “The recent riots and violence have only intensified the need for businesses to prioritise employee safety. We have witnessed a 10% increase in demand for our services in just the last two weeks.
No sector should be exempt from this responsibility, and more employers need to move beyond basic health and safety compliance. Technology is already playing a crucial role, but more decisive action is needed to overcome the challenges we face. Protecting and enhancing the lives of our collective workforce will ultimately create a safer, more sustainable, and successful future for every sector.”
