Staff at Grimsby’s Department for Work and Pensions office have raised safety concerns after harassment of female staff by drug users and drunks outside and men being propositioned by sex workers.
Women going to and from Crown House on Nelson Street have been flashed at. They have raised their worries with site managers, highlighting their concerns, particularly when leaving the office after dark.
A spokesman for the FDA union which represents civil servants said: “We’ve conducted a consultation with civil servants working in Crown House. The FDA, as a result of staff concerns, has raised the issue of staff safety with Site Management at Crown House.”
The union want to move staff to an alternative site and hoped the former Civic Offices on The Knoll, Cleethorpes could be considered.
The survey of staff over safety from the last five years highlighted concerns among the 450 staff based at Crown House. Located in Nelson Street Grimsby and Railway Street, it has been involved in a number of evacuations due to incidents this year.
The site has been used since the 1960s, formerly as a Job Centre and now for the management of Universal Credit and fraud.
Staff say they have faced a number of issues such as evacuations over safety issues, lifts breaking down, and toilets backing up resulting in costly repairs and staff being sent home.
Regarding safety, one member said: “It’s like the den of iniquity around here. We have female members of staff harassed by drug users and alcoholics asking them to show their private parts. Men are propositioned by prostitutes on top of the wider crime related issues. Myself and my colleagues have given up reporting issues as nothing ever gets done as this has been going on for years.
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“Staff are reluctant to leave the building and it’s even more unsafe when staff have to work late when the dark nights set in. It’s simply not appropriate for a government building to be based here, especially given the sensitivity of our work. Moreover, when you have security based on the 4th Floor and no one overseeing the entrance it just seems dangerous.”
Another staff member said she had stopped going out during breaks due to incidents walking around Freeman Street. She said: “My greatest concern when it comes to working at Crown House is probably the parking arrangements. There are two allocated parking spaces for the Enhanced Review Team and if you cannot park then the options are a paid car park at the side of the Freeman Street market, which in the winter is not safe.
“There is not adequate lighting or security when walking to the car alone. I have done this before, and I promised myself I wouldn’t put myself in that position again.” Another staff member said: “While the security staff do an excellent job, the security office is located on the 4th floor.
“There have been repeated incidents of members of the public tailgating members of staff into the building. Security would not be immediately aware of such situations and there would be a delay time in response, harm to staff and damage to DWP property could have taken place before security are aware.
“There is currently no space for a security office on the ground floor. Also, I do not think that a simple four-digit entry code is adequate security at the main entry points.”
The survey highlighted an incident where a man exposed himself and also urinated in the staff car park in June this year.
“This is not the first incident that has occurred just outside the building. There have been issues with drug addicts overdosing in the doorway, as a former drugs and alcohol counsellor, I was able to identify what had happened and call an ambulance otherwise the people could have easily died of this overdose.” a staff member said. The FDA spokesman said crime data has been collated and a report will be presented to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, MP.
The union spokesman said: “Staff came to the FDA expressing their concern about the working conditions and location of Grimsby Crown House. Our local team, assisted by our National Officer Matt Newman, conducted robust research based on independent data and a Wellbeing Survey. Staff were clearly very happy with their overall management of workload and wellbeing of which the Management deserve significant praise.
“However there was a clear view and pattern of evidence that Crown House is no longer fit for purpose as staff feel unsafe at work. As a Trade Union we want to ensure that Government maintains a presence in areas like Cleethorpes and Grimsby. Not only does it provide a key source of highly skilled employment for the local population, but also informs decision making when creating Government Policy. As a Union we feel it is better to work constructively to identify sustainable alternative solutions, such as relocation to Cleethorpes Civic Offices, rather than wait for things to get worse and a kneejerk reaction being.
“We know the DWP Estates Team are looking for more sustainable and environmentally friendly premises nationwide as part of their estates strategy. We therefore hope to be able to work closely and constructively with them for the good of all staff, The Government, the local area and Claimants to come to a mutually- acceptable solution.
“That could be moving premise or, as a minimum, significant improvements to safety and sustainability at Crown House. Overall we are deeply saddened by the response and lack of concern we have received about our concerns by the DWP and we will now be raising it directly with The Permanent Secretary Sir Peter Scholfield and The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP and will ask them to intervene in this matter.”
(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)
There are around 450 staff based at Crown House. It has a capacity for 650. A DWP spokesperson: “We take the safety of our staff seriously and Health & Safety inspections are regularly undertaken. The capacity of the building has not been exceeded.”
A North East Lincolnshire Council spokesperson said: ““Cleethorpes’ Civic offices has been on the market for a few months as the authority looks to further support the development of, and investment in, the resort.
“As has been previously reported, North East Lincolnshire Council’s intention to review its buildings and land was made public in its budget report of 2023/2024.
“We have had some potential interest from buyers. Any offers received are always subject to due diligence before being progressed any further.”