Angus Council staff came under verbal or physical attack almost three times a day in 2018 during a dramatic upturn in the number of authority employees hurt during their daily business.
Teachers continue to bear the brunt of the bad behaviour but no area of the council escaped unscathed from incidents which saw more than 200 people injured.
Data released under Freedom of Information legislation revealed a tally of 959 attacks on council workers in the year to November 2018, including 384 non-injury physical incidents, 303 verbal and 61 threats.
That compared to a five-year total to November 2017 of 3,044 – an average of just over 600 a year.
Last year’s spike has been described as “extremely worrying” while the authority has warned it will “use all appropriate measures” against perpetrators.
Although the vast majority of incidents continue to involve teachers and other school staff, there were almost 20 cases involving waste services staff in the past year, and a similar number against leisure centre workers.
In 2018 Angus recycling centre staff were equipped with bodycams in response to what waste chiefs said was a growing tide of intimidation and violence at the area’s skip sites.
Angus Conservative MP Kirstene Hair has condemned the “culture of disrespect” which would lead to aggression in sports halls and recycling centres.
She said: “These employees are working very hard to deliver basic public services for the people of Angus.
“It is troubling that some people think any public servant is a fair target for abuse.
“They are our neighbours, friends and family,” she added.
“This culture of disrespect has to stop. Victimising people on the front lines of public service has no place in Scotland.”
An Angus Council spokesperson said: “Assaults on our staff are never acceptable, wherever they occur, whatever the circumstances and irrespective of whether they are verbal or physical.
“We are committed to preventing violence and aggression and encourage our staff to record and report such behaviour.
“Where incidents do happen, we use all appropriate measures to take action in relation to those responsible and ensure that the staff member affected receives appropriate support.
“All reported incidents reported are taken seriously and progressed according to their particular circumstances. If those circumstances dictate, the matter is reported to other relevant agencies, which can include the police.
“All our staff are suitably qualified, trained and supported to ensure they can carry out their important roles in the community in a safe and effective way, both for themselves and those using the service.”
