Fears receptionists are 'sitting ducks' for angry Thurrock residents

Some staff feel vulnerable in the open plan council building

Fears have been raised that frontline Thurrock Council staff are "sitting ducks" for aggressive members of the public.

Labour councillor Lynn Worrall said receptionists had nothing to protect themselves in the authority's new civic building.

She said staff were vulnerable because they "sit on an island on a stool" and faced " a lot of anger and abuse".

The council said it would review safety measures.

Ms Worrall told a council meeting on Wednesday: "They've been promised a new area since the day that reception opened.

"They are sitting ducks for anything that walks through that door. We have to get a scoot on here."

Unfortunate human behaviour

In response, Conservative councillor Ben Maney, who is responsible for regeneration and highways, said the issue had not been given the attention it deserved.

"The director of service has been quite open about that," he said, "There has been a changeover of staff, and this has fallen through the cracks.

Mr Maney added: "We are committed to making this a priority now. The building was designed to be open so that staff weren't sitting behind a desk, closed off from members of the public coming into the building.

"It's unfortunate that human behaviour means that we can't have that kind of environment; the reality is we can't. We do need to do something about it, and it has to happen very soon."

Mr Maney said a review of security measures in the town hall was underway "to protect staff, councillors and the public".

As part of this, interview rooms dividers, panic alarms and CCTV would be installed.

"We've commissioned a new design for a reception desk that will provide greater protection for staff, [who] will be involved in agreeing the final design," he added.