More than 2,200 attacks on staff

Figures have revealed more than 2,200 attacks were made against Aberdeenshire Council staff in the last five years.

The statistics, released under a Freedom of Information request, found a total of 2,207 violent incidents were recorded.

In the vast majority of cases – 1,776 or 80% – the victims were teachers or other education staff. The incidents were a mix of physical and verbal attacks.

The statistics were described as “grim reading” by Aberdeenshire West and Kincardine Conservative MP Andrew Bowie.

However, the council said some cases had to be expected by staff working among people with behavioural issues.

A spokesman said: “Our definition of a violent incident is any incident involving physical violence, threatening behaviour or verbal abuse that the victim feels has caused them physical harm or psychological offence.

“It should also be noted that these figures include large numbers of incidents that occur in an educational and social care environment that involve individuals with known behavioural issues.

“As the council operates a zero-tolerance policy these incidents can never be regarded as acceptable but in a lot of cases they would be expected.

“The safety of our workforce is of the utmost importance to us and we take the necessary steps to ensure this.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said the majority of pupils were well behaved.