New efforts to tackle 'continued' violence against people just trying to do their jobs across South Tyneside

The issue was referenced during a recent meeting of the council's People and Organisational Development Committee (December 10, 2025) during an update from Claire McLaren, the council's head of people and organisational change.

The update referenced the council's general approach towards tackling violence and intimidation directed at council staff from members of the public and noted that a "forward-facing policy" was being developed.

Councillors heard the policy would explain to members of the public "what sanctions the council would take as an organisation" if they "continue" behaviour including "violence and intimidation towards council staff."

While the council would still need to provide access to "statutory services" for members of the public, it was noted that the council could potentially "withdraw access to facilities" to "safeguard staff" in some cases.

The meeting was also told the council would be "more proactive in the online space around a zero-tolerance message regarding our staff, rather than waiting for it to be a reactive statement."

South Tyneside Council, in a statement following the meeting, said the "scale of the issue is significant" and that there has been a recent increase in "workplace violence", with incidents including "physical, verbal and online abuse".

The council said that between April, 2024 and March, 2025, around 424 incidents of workplace violence and abuse were reported, a 44 per cent increase on the previous year.

Councillors on the People and Organisational Development Committee were told that a report recommending a policy to tackle the issue was discussed by the council's corporate leadership team, and it was noted that the committee had also met with trade unions to discuss the wider issues involved.

Further details of the front-facing policy to tackle the issue of violence and intimidation, including the specific types of potential sanctions, will become clearer as the policy is further developed.

Councillor Joan Hamilton, a member of the People and Organisational Development Committee, asked how the council defined "violence and aggression", particularly online, and when the council decides "enough is enough."

Council officer Claire McLaren, responding, said it was "when people feel intimidated and they feel that their personal character is being attacked online just simply for doing their job".

The meeting heard that from an employment law and health and safety point of view, the council as an organisation was required to support its staff and would aim to tackle "unacceptable" behaviour against council employees at "every opportunity."

Councillor Adam Ellison, chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee, said the committee needed to be "proactive" on the issue going forward.

Meanwhile, councillor Sue Stonehouse said the issue was "all down to respect" and on the matter of council employees, added it was important to "look after them."

Councillor Jim Foreman, South Tyneside Council's cabinet member for governance, finance and corporate services, said the council has a "zero-tolerance approach to violence, abuse and intimidation towards our staff, whether in person or online".

In a statement after the meeting, the senior councillor said "like any responsible employer we take the safety and wellbeing of our employees extremely seriously".

"We have a zero-tolerance approach to violence, abuse and intimidation towards our staff, whether in person or online," Cllr Foreman added.

“The scale of the issue is significant – between April, 2024 and March, 2025, 424 incidents of workplace violence and abuse were reported, a 44 per cent increase on the previous year.

"These incidents include physical, verbal and online abuse.

“That being said, we have been working hard to foster a culture where staff feel confident in coming forward to report these incidents so would expect those numbers to rise as a result.

“Over the past 18 months, we have strengthened our policies and procedures to protect employees and ensure robust action is taken against those who engage in such behaviour.

"We are now developing a public facing policy that makes clear the sanctions we will apply to persistent offenders, which could include restricting access to certain council facilities to safeguard staff.

"We are also introducing measures to tackle online abuse.

“While we do not comment on specific security arrangements, we do have systems in place to manage risks and protect our employees, and we work closely with partners where appropriate.”