Winz staff face increasing dangers

Of the 629 reported incidents at Winz sites in the Bay of Plenty, 12 required police intervention in 2012, 15 in 2013 and 41 in 2014.

The number of security incidents at Work and Income offices in the Bay of Plenty requiring police intervention has more than tripled in the past three years with three critical incidents among them.

Information obtained through under the Official information Act by the Bay of Plenty Times from the Ministry of Social Development showed since 2012 there had been three critical incidents, 39 serious incidents, 509 moderate incidents and 78 minor incidents.

Of the 629 reported incidents in the Bay of Plenty sites 12 required police intervention in 2012, 15 in 2013 and 41 in 2014.

A critical incident was the most severe and included death, serious injury requiring hospitalisation, bomb threats and arson.

The Ministry introduced a zero-tolerance policy to threatening behaviour in September after Work and Income staff members Peggy Noble and Leigh Cleveland were killed in a mid-morning shooting at their Ashburton office. A third person, Lindy Curtis, was injured.

Charles Ronaldson, Ministry of Social Development deputy chief executive of organisational solutions, said the increase in reported incidents in 2014 could be attributed to the implementation of this policy. "Every threat is taken seriously and is dealt with swiftly by the ministry and the New Zealand Police."

The Bay of Plenty Times asked how much was spent on security at Bay sites, but the request was declined by the Ministry so it could continue negotiations with security provider Armourgaurd "without prejudice or disadvantage".

However, before the Ashburton shooting the ministry had contracted the services of 169 security staff. Since September 3, 2014 the ministry contracted another 278 staff to the sites.

Tommy Wilson, of Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services Trust in Greerton, said during the last six months he had noted an increase in confrontational behaviour from those coming through the organisation's doors.

"As desperate people get more desperate they take out their frustrations with the people who are trying to help them.

"We have gone into lock down twice in the last 12 months."

"A lot of it is inter-relationship problems, they get aired out in our offices and that can become quite heated. It's hard for us, because we are a small organisation, two people have to be there there at all times. It's a massive financial strain on the organisation."

Mr Wilson said possible security issues constantly played on his mind.

"We are the front line for frustrated people."