THERE has been a “huge increase” in the number of violent and aggressive incidents towards Fife Council employees this year.

The vast majority happened in the Kingdom's schools and local authority said the big rise was "as anticipated".  

In the past year, 2023-24, the number of incidents towards education staff alone has risen by 39 per cent.

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“When I read the report, what was quite stark and shocking were the figures around violence and aggression,” Councillor Gordon Pryde said.

“The numbers in this report reflect a shocking increase.”

Across all services, there were 6,088 reported incidents of violence, aggression or threat - 94 per cent came from education.

“This is a huge increase in numbers for education and children,” Cllr Auxi Barrera said.

Compared to pre-Covid figures, there has been a 175 per cent increase in violent and aggressive incidents.

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In 2019/20, the council reported 1,743 violent, aggressive or threatening incidents towards education and children’s service staff. Last year, that figure had increased to 3,457. This past year, there were 4,809 incidents.

“These figures can mean two things for me: either children and adults are more confident to report things they weren’t pre-Covid or there are far more incidents now,” Cllr Barrera added.

According to the report from Fife’s head of HR, Sharon McKenzie, the further increase is “as anticipated”.

Following the reduction of incidents during Covid-19 followed by the negative consequences of lockdown, Ms McKenzie’s report said there was a “further increase of 39 per cent in the number of violent, aggressive, and threatening incidents” recorded this year.

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“Reducing workplace violence continues to be a key focus within Fife Council and is an area identified as a health and safety priority,” Ms McKenzie’s report stated.

The council has already been working to bring down the level of violence and aggression towards council staff – specifically those working in education.

“A comprehensive action plan was developed, and the actions are either complete or progressed well throughout 2023/24,” the report said.

“The education service staff, with responsibility for the actions, meet regularly to review and update the plan. This ensures the momentum is maintained.”

The action plan includes clarity for staff on how and when to report aggression, data monitoring, support for staff who report violence and aggression, consistent training, and robust guidance.

Reports have also gone to Fife’s Education Scrutiny committee, and more reports on school violence and aggression are on the horizon later this month.

Education heads of service are also planning to hold cluster wellbeing roadshows for all staff. According to Ms McKenzie, supporting staff with violence and aggression will be a “key theme”.