COUNCILLORS are asking to be protected from violent attacks when they visit people in their homes.

An "at risk" register of addresses where town hall staff may be threatened is currently being set up.

All council departments are taking part setting up the register and the idea is that it will act as a warning system.

It will mean that staff will not visit people in their homes alone without either another colleague being with them or being in constant contact with the office by mobile phone.

But councillors also want to have the benefit of the system because they also fear they could be in danger.

Vulnerable

Labour Cllr Mrs Margaret Clare said at a social services committee meeting yesterday: "Elected members can be vulnerable when they go round to see people about ward issues.

"We do not go round in twos or threes and many do not have a mobile phone. We would also like to be able to check on addresses before we go round."

A report was presented to yesterday's social services committee revealing that there were 210 incidents of violence reported by staff in just six months last year. This was an increase of 18 from the previous half year.

The highest number of incidents were 60 reported in the learning disability networks where former long-stay hospital patients now live in the community.

None of the attacks required hospital treatment - the majority were "nipping, scratching and thumping." Almost a quarter of cases reported were verbal abuse.

The report adds that stress features highly on the department's sickness absence record.

Now social services bosses are to carry out a survey to see how much the fear of violence is responsible for stress.

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