The Essence of Compliance, Competence, and Common Law in Physical Intervention Techniques

Yet again I received a phone call stating that because someone conducting a review had not heard of a particular technique that was being used, the reviewing person was saying that what they (the person being reviewed) had done was wrong! My question to the reviewing person, who as it turned out had no known physical intervention or conflict management … Read more

How The Great British Post Office Scandal (and Others) Can Affect You

I am sure that you are aware of the Great British Post Office Scandal. It has been described by the Criminal Cases Review Commission as “the most widespread miscarriage of justice ever seen and represents the biggest single series of wrongful convictions in British legal history”. The Post Office is owned by the Government and it is a unique institution … Read more

What Type of Incidents Do You Report?

We use well known phrases like the Health & Safety Executives (HSE) definition of work-related violence… Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work, whether the behaviours are explicit or implicit in nature or design, is a reportable incident. What does the HSE’s Definition Mean to You? These incidents are not … Read more

Preventing Violence to Shopworkers Today and Everyday

Violence against shop workers is a pervasive issue. According to a survey conducted by the British Retail Consortium, there were around 455 incidents of violence or abuse towards retail staff each day in the UK. That means there are over 160,000+ reported incidents per year, that’s before we start thinking about the un-reported incidents. Why are some (lots according to … Read more

Is the Escalating Issue of Workplace Violence a Society-wide Problem?

In today’s modern landscape, the spectre of workplace violence looms larger than ever, casting a dark shadow not only within office walls but seeping into the fabric of our societal norms. Violence in the workplace isn’t just a problem confined within the nine-to-five routine; it’s a pervasive issue that echoes across various spheres of our lives. The Health and Safety … Read more

Workplace Safety – Whose Responsibility?

In today’s dynamic and hectic work environments, ensuring the health and safety of employees must be of paramount importance for employers. The Health & Safety Executive previously produced data in 2020 that outlined the prevalence of aggression and violence affecting businesses and workforces across the UK. Approximately 688,000 incidents of aggression and violence were reported in the workplace in England … Read more

Protecting Retail Businesses from Shoplifting

According to the Office for National Statistics theft in general has increased with 1.7million offences in the year to June, up ten per cent on the previous period. According to a recent article the Police recorded a total of 365,164 offences as shops and stores are increasingly targeted. Let’s look at the legal aspects of dealing with shoplifting, retail sector … Read more

Reporting Your Version of the Truth

Conflict prevention, management, and physical intervention training are vital skills for individuals working in sectors where conflicts may arise, such as security, law enforcement, and healthcare, etc. These training programmes not only teach techniques for defusing potentially dangerous situations but also cover the legal aspects of using force and the crucial skill of incident report writing. The effectiveness of the … Read more

Defending the Right to Self-Defence at Work

Across the scope of employment law, the right to self-defence at work is a critical aspect that needs to be explored in more detail. Let’s delve into the legal foundations that safeguard employees’ rights when defending themselves, the imperative need for personal safety training, and the role of risk assessments in shaping detailed and comprehensive training programmes. Additionally, let’s explore … Read more

Self-Defence and Honestly Held Belief

Let’s have a look at this complex legal dilemma Self-defence is a fundamental concept in criminal law, allowing individuals to protect themselves or others from imminent harm and danger. However, there are situations where the use of force in self-defence results in the death of another person. In such cases, the law often hinges on whether the defendant genuinely believed … Read more