Where am I most likely to be at risk?

Each year, half the assaults, and a third of threats, are by clients or customers already known to you. The most risky situations include:

• Working on your own. This may be in clients' homes, in an isolated office, or at times of the day when your colleagues are off duty.
• Working under pressure, so that your clients are frustrated by poor services due to staff shortage or heavy workloads.
• When you can offer no alternative support to a client.
• In a crowded workplace that is too busy, with public areas that lack seating, refreshments, a telephone or recreation area for children.

• When a customer is stealing or attempting fraud, eg using a stolen credit card.
• Handling customers who have drunk excessive amounts of alcohol.
• When you confront a suspected shoplifter.