AIBU to feel uneasy after workplace warning about individual posing a serious safety concern to staff?

[bonnietylerneedahero]

I work in a large organisation with 100s of employees. Today we received an email with the name and photograph of this individual saying they are not permitted on site. If they are seen or attempt to access any areas of the site

1. don’t approach or engage the individual
2. ensure their own safety and that of any nearby colleagues or service users
3. call 999 immediately informing the operator that there is a safety risk on premises (this was in bold print)
4. alert security on site
5. remain vigilant and report any sightings or concerns without delay

We were not giving any other information about what type of risk they pose and what alerted them of the risk.

I am now feeling very nervous about walking around the premises and walking to and from my car. The staff car park is a good walk away from the office. I also didn’t see any visible security presence on way to the car park.

what reasons would they have for not releasing more details? And how can I keep myself safe? I am very concerned given the wording of the email, does it sound like this person is known to the police? The email we received came from the lead of our department, which had been forwarded several times to different staff groups but no major staff alert to all staff.

I just don’t know what to think. But I left early so I wouldn’t have to walk to my car alone.

This isn’t unusual where I work unfortunately.

That's a weak security issue right there for staff. You need security as escorts for groups of employees or van transport. That sounds unsafe when there's a viable active threat, which it sounds like from the letter, because you're instructed to notify police ASAP.

Raise the issue of the isolated footpath with your head.

It's reasonable to keep your eyes open and be on alert when you know there's a threat made.

I’d be asking too! That sort of email will potentially make more vulnerable people feel fear. I worked in a scientific field for most of my life and often got emails about animal rights protesters, but we used to have more detail so we could avoid them, what their intentions were (most were passive to be honest) and one place where they were seen taking number plates of cars in car parks they actually moved car parks to places not visible to the boundary

Have you reverse image searched the picture?

We have similar relating to a barring/safety order my work had to obtain as part of a domestic violence situation. The perpetrator was following his victim around our workplace.

Would ot make you feel better to know how it will be dealt with, even if you can't know the reasons why? I would imagine that alerting the presence of this person will mean parts of the hospital go into lockdown, but you could check that if if helps put your mind at rest. In my work when this happens we get given a list of things we can do to keep safe like an app to log travel and arriving home, or advice to cover up work branded items outside the hospital. You could ask them for a list like this again so that everyone can at least know they are doing something proactive for safety.

I've known hospitals to put van/bus pick up and drop off in place for adverse weather to ensure stafg levels, so surely they could put this in place temporarily for this more remote site to ensure staff safety?

Yes but unfortunately no information. Lots of mugshots of American men.

Could you do a FOI request?

I would feel uneasy too, you don’t think it’s terror related do you?

I wouldn’t worry too much, OP. There have been similar warnings in my workplace and it’s probably someone who has a beef with another department, especially if they’re customer facing. If it helps, you probably walk past and even work with potentially dangerous people every day, it’s just that no one knows about them…yet! 👀 😉 Yoire not being silly for worrying, but I hope you can find a way to relax and take care of yourself 💖🌸

I'm a social worker, we've had things like this a few times. Usually a threat towards an individual, sometimes to the whole of social services. Luckily nothing has ever come of it. The police give them a warning after the threat and they back off.
A hospital will be a busy environment, I'd try not to worry too much. Just be vigilant. Take your badge off when you leave the building and walk to the car park.

I work there, have for over 20 years and this was the first time seeing an alert of this nature

Someone after drugs, maybe? Given that you work in a hospital.

My sister works in a hospital and she's had those emails before, one time it was someone who kept trying to get to the roof (suicidal, I assume)

We've occasionally had this. Different situation but someone who may want to harm someone on the site and may go berserk if stopped. If the site can't be closed so that all entrances are fully monitored, I'm not really sure what else they can do.

Could be someone the trust has red carded. I work for the criminal justice system and we regularly get emails like this.

I've seen it done for severe weather events, but I worked one place that was in a high crime area and staff were shuttled from the parking lot to the hospital and back every shift. If you took the train, you went to the parking lot to wait for the van or bus and the lot was always staffed by security.

An isolated footpath to a distant unsecured parking area sounds really lax.