Nearly 1,000 Offences Reported Since April 2022, With Common Assault Leading the List

Violence directed at NHS staff, including doctors, nurses, and hospital workers, has surged across London, according to newly released data. The statistics from the Metropolitan Police show that nearly 1,000 violent incidents have been reported since April 2022, with the number of offences continuing to climb.

In the period from April 2022 to March 2023, 578 offences were recorded, but a concerning increase occurred in the months following, with 406 reported between April and November 2023 alone. The figures include all hospital staff, such as cleaners, receptionists, and porters, but do not account for incidents involving security personnel.

Lambeth saw the highest number of incidents in the first year, with 59 reports, primarily attributed to St Thomas’ Hospital and King’s College Hospital. In 2023, Redbridge has emerged as the area with the most violent offences, recording 35 incidents, including those at King George Hospital in Goodmayes.

While most of the incidents were physical assaults, a small proportion involved non-physical violence, such as letters sent with intent to cause distress. The majority of the offences (234 out of 984) were classified as common assault or battery, making up a quarter of the total cases.

Dr Onkar Sahota, a Labour member of the London Assembly, who requested the figures, expressed deep concern over the rising violence. He emphasised that the true scale of the issue is likely higher, as not all incidents are reported. “These figures are deeply troubling, and patients must recognise that NHS staff are doing their best under challenging circumstances. There is absolutely no justification for violence against them,” he said.

Dr Sahota warned that escalating violence, coupled with existing issues of overwork and underpayment, is pushing many NHS staff out of the profession. He pointed to a significant shortage of healthcare professionals in London, with over 10% of NHS positions unfilled.

The growing trend of staff resignations adds to the strain. Recent reports revealed that 170,000 NHS workers across England left their jobs last year, including over 41,000 nurses. A record number of staff cited poor work-life balance as their primary reason for leaving.

Dr Sahota called for immediate action from the government and unions to improve protections, fair pay, and working conditions for NHS employees. He also urged the Metropolitan Police to do more outreach to staff and to encourage better reporting of violent incidents to ensure the true extent of the problem is fully understood.

Both the Department for Health and the Metropolitan Police were contacted for further comment.