Five stories this week, and a calendar that should worry every employer. Two consultations close this month, one on Martyn's Law this Thursday, one on the biggest overhaul of injury reporting in over a decade. A Cardiff paramedic is back at work after fifteen months off the road. Assaults on prison staff have hit a ten-year high. And a government minister ha
01Workplace Safety
A South Wales paramedic lost fifteen months of her career to an assault on shift, and she
02Workplace Safety
The deadline to shape how Martyn's Law will be enforced runs out this Thursday.
03Workplace Safety
The rules on which workplace injuries you must report to the HSE are being rewritten for t
04Workplace Safety
Assaults on prison officers in England and Wales have climbed to their highest level in a
05Workplace Safety
A firebombed car, a parish chair left with a fractured skull, death threats: a minister ha
This edition contains accounts of real incidents of workplace violence, abuse and harassment, reported factually and sourced from named public sources.
RED FLAG WEEKLYEDITION 8
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01WO
Workplace Safety
Cardiff paramedic off the road for fifteen months
A South Wales paramedic lost fifteen months of her career to an assault on shift, and she has waived her anonymity to say enough is enough.
SectorWorkplace Safety
Story focusA South Wales paramedic lost fifteen months of her
Archive editionEdition 8
ResponsePractical training and clear reporting
At Cardiff Crown Court on 20 April 2026, Teri Jones, 38, of Trowbridge, Cardiff, admitted two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against ambulance staff. One of the paramedics, who has chosen to be named as Yael, was unable to return to frontline work for fifteen months. The Welsh Ambulance Service and South Wales Police used the case to repeat a simple message: calling 999 on your worst day is never a licence to attack the crew who come to help. Source: Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust
What employers should do now
Review the risk in the context of the role.
Check staff have clear reporting and escalation routes.
Use practical training based on what staff actually face.
RED FLAG WEEKLYEDITION 8
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Workplace Safety
Martyn's Law consultation closes this week
The deadline to shape how Martyn's Law will be enforced runs out this Thursday.
SectorWorkplace Safety
Story focusThe deadline to shape how Martyn's Law will be enf
Archive editionEdition 8
ResponsePractical training and clear reporting
The Security Industry Authority opened its consultation on draft enforcement guidance for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law, on 15 April 2026. The consultation closes on 12 June 2026. The law is expected to commence in spring 2027 and will cover standard tier premises hosting 200 to 799 people and enhanced tier premises and events of 800 or more. Staff awareness and preparedness sit at the heart of the duty. Source: GOV.UK and the Security Industry Authority
What employers should do now
Review the risk in the context of the role.
Check staff have clear reporting and escalation routes.
Use practical training based on what staff actually face.
RED FLAG WEEKLYEDITION 8
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Workplace Safety
RIDDOR overhaul, consultation closes 30 June
The rules on which workplace injuries you must report to the HSE are being rewritten for the first time since 2013.
SectorWorkplace Safety
Story focusThe rules on which workplace injuries you must rep
Archive editionEdition 8
ResponsePractical training and clear reporting
On 7 April 2026 the HSE opened a public consultation on reforming the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It is the first major review of RIDDOR in more than a decade and it closes on 30 June 2026. The proposals would clarify what counts as a work-related incident, add reportable conditions such as work-related hearing loss, and simplify online reporting. The current duties remain fully in force, and any new regulations are not expected to take effect before 2027. Source: HSE Media Centre
What employers should do now
Review the risk in the context of the role.
Check staff have clear reporting and escalation routes.
Use practical training based on what staff actually face.
RED FLAG WEEKLYEDITION 8
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04WO
Workplace Safety
Assaults on prison staff hit a decade high
Assaults on prison officers in England and Wales have climbed to their highest level in a decade.
SectorWorkplace Safety
Story focusAssaults on prison officers in England and Wales h
Archive editionEdition 8
ResponsePractical training and clear reporting
Ministry of Justice figures show 10,605 assaults on staff in adult prisons during 2024, up from 9,204 the year before and nearly three times the 3,640 recorded in 2014. In response, the Justice Secretary has announced a trial of tasers in prisons and a snap review of protective body armour for officers. The figures follow a run of serious attacks on staff in high-security jails. Source: Ministry of Justice, reported via PA
What employers should do now
Review the risk in the context of the role.
Check staff have clear reporting and escalation routes.
Use practical training based on what staff actually face.
RED FLAG WEEKLYEDITION 8
SAFETYSOLUTIONSTRAINING.CO.UK
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Workplace Safety
Minister forced to act on councillor abuse
A firebombed car, a parish chair left with a fractured skull, death threats: a minister has been forced to promise action on the abuse of councillors.
SectorWorkplace Safety
Story focusA firebombed car, a parish chair left with a fract
Archive editionEdition 8
ResponsePractical training and clear reporting
In a House of Lords debate, the local government minister Baroness Sharon Taylor said the abuse and intimidation of councillors, online and in person, was totally unacceptable and pledged government action. Peers pointed to a 2025 Local Government Association survey describing severe incidents, including a councillor's car being firebombed, a parish chair assaulted and left with a fractured skull, death threats aimed at LGBT and Muslim councillors, and a Rochdale councillor punched repeatedly in the head. Members argued that physical attacks on members are no longer rare outliers. Source: Local Government Chronicle
What employers should do now
Review the risk in the context of the role.
Check staff have clear reporting and escalation routes.
Use practical training based on what staff actually face.
Legislative Spotlight
October 2026 is approaching. Employers need evidence of all reasonable steps.
4
Months remaining until the Employment Rights Act 2025 deadline
The consistent theme across Red Flag Weekly is foreseeable risk. Where staff engage with the public, lone work, visit homes, answer challenging calls or manage difficult behaviour, employers need practical evidence that staff were prepared for what they actually face.
Policies should be clear, current and role-specific.
Training should cover real scenarios, not generic awareness alone.
Incident reporting should be straightforward and trusted.
Managers should be able to evidence action taken before and after incidents.
The safest position is to prepare now, not wait for further guidance.
RED FLAG
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Red Flag Weekly is researched and written by Vince Donovan, Director, Safety Solutions Training Ltd. Every story in this edition is verified against a named, public source. No statistics are invented or estimated.