Surrey Police is urging frontline staff at our trust to come forward immediately and report incidents of verbal, physical or racist abuse to its officers.
The move is part of a renewed drive between Surrey Police and the trust to tackle the growing problem. Staff at our trust have reported an increase in racist language, behaviour and abuse from people using services, and from their friends, family and carers.
Graham Wareham, Chief Executive of our trust said: “Our staff work extremely hard to give people the expert mental health care and support they need. It is unacceptable for them to face abuse of any kind from those they are trying to help.
“To protect them, we are urging them to report when they suffer abuse - and the police will take action.”
The trust and Surrey Police are working in close partnership to tackle incidents of abuse, as part of an initiative called Operation Cavell. This is specifically focused on improving safety for NHS staff and aims to improve prosecution rates. As part of the operation, senior specialist investigators review all crimes against NHS workers and volunteers.
Staff at our trust have shared how the abuse makes them feel, with comments including:
- “It’s challenging to work a 12-hour shift with the abuse. It impacts on emotional wellbeing – there is no escape.”
- “It doesn’t feel good and impacts on my confidence.”
- “I feel segregated by patients because of the colour of my skin.”
- “It makes me question why I came to this country.”
Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp QPM from Surrey Police said: “Assaults on frontline workers when they are just trying to do their job simply will not be tolerated.
“Nobody should be put in a position where they are physically or verbally assaulted in their workplace. It is not ‘part of the job’.
“Surrey Police remains committed to supporting all frontline workers if they are threatened or assaulted and appropriate action will be taken in every case.”