With rising incidents of workplace violence being reported, workplace safety must be a priority for high-risk businesses in 2025.

Sectors such as healthcare, education, retail, and corrections are particularly hard-hit, with a surge in abuse and aggression driving burnout, low morale, and high turnover. In fact, NHS data shows that experiencing physical violence at work increases an employee’s intent to leave by 10%. With traditional safety measures – like CCTV and static alarms – failing to protect staff in the moment, staff remain vulnerable.

So, why is workplace violence on the rise? And, why are many of the existing safety systems insufficient in protecting staff against abuse? We explore more here.

A threat to staff safety 

Workplace violence is increasing at an alarming rate. According to NHS data, 13.7% of staff reported physical abuse last year, while 25.15% experienced harassment or abuse. Meanwhile, the retail sector saw a 50% surge in violent assaults in 2023, with over 1,300 incidents reported daily. 

What’s driving this upward trend? Of course, it is hard to say for certain. However, key contributors including the cost-of-living crisis, chronic understaffing in the public sectors and an ever-increasing workload, have left many workers exposed to highly frustrated, stressed and volatile members of the public.

With workplace injuries and ill health costing £21.6 billion annually (HSE), businesses can no longer afford to ignore the human and financial costs of unsafe working environments.

Addressing the problem 

When it comes to staff safety, traditional measures like CCTV often fall short. These systems are reactive, designed to record incidents as they occur rather than offering real-time protection. In a moment of crisis – whether a healthcare worker faces an aggressive patient, or a retail employee is threatened by a customer – CCTV cannot intervene.

Likewise, body-worn cameras (BWCs), which have been widely deployed by ambulance staff in England to reduce violence against healthcare workers can only record the incident in question – they are not a preventative measure.

Despite the UK having an estimated 5.2 million CCTV cameras – one for every 13 people – 96% of which are operated by businesses and individuals, they provide little support in critical moments. Compounding the issue, many incidents go unreported. Employees often feel unsupported or fear speaking out, leaving threats to their safety unaddressed.

This is where Pinpoint’s P2 staff attack alarm system makes the difference. Our powerful, efficient alarm system empowers workers to summon immediate help by simply pressing a button on their body-worn alarm. The P2 devices are proactive, ensuring incidents are addressed before they escalate.

Pinpoint's P2 System 

In emergencies, every second matters. Pinpoint’s advanced P2 System ensures support can be summoned when staff need it most.  

Wearing discreet personal alarms, staff can quickly call for assistance with the press of a button. When activated, these alarms transmit signals to receiver units located throughout the building, which in turn, send alerts to devices that display the exact location and severity of an incident. This process, which takes just milliseconds from activation to display, allows fellow staff to quickly intervene.

With the ability to integrate with existing safety measures, such as site CCTV, Pinpoint’s P2 System creates safer workplaces, prevents incident escalation, and offers real-time data for improved risk management and staff well-being.

Investing in reliable alarms like the P2 staff safety system does more than protect employees - it transforms workplaces. By reducing stress and improving morale, these systems create environments where employees feel valued and supported. 

Prioritising staff safety isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s essential for operational success in 2025 and beyond.

Talk to the experts at Pinpoint for more information on staff safety alarm systems and how they can help protect your team.