There needs to be a review of safety for probation officers across England and Wales after a stabbing incident that has deeply concerned frontline staff, a watchdog has told the Guardian.
The call from Martin Jones, the chief inspector of probation, follows demands for walk-through metal detectors and security guards to help protect caseworkers as they interact with growing numbers of released offenders.
A man was charged last week with the attempted murder of a probation officer in her 30s who was stabbed at work in Preston, Lancashire.
Ryan Gee, 35 and of no fixed address, is due before Preston magistrates court accused of attempted murder, threatening a person with an offensive weapon or bladed article in a private place, two counts of possessing a knife blade in a public place, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and false imprisonment.
After the incident, a petition calling for enhanced security has gained more than 15,000 signatures and support from dozens of probation staff.
Probation officers face extra work and increasing contact with serious offenders after the early release of prisoners to ease overcrowding in jails.
Ministers are releasing some violent prisoners, those convicted of sexual offences and domestic abusers, after serving a third of their sentences in an effort to reduce pressure on prisons.
Asked if he backed calls for an immediate review of safety procedures, Jones, who was the chief executive of the Parole Board for nine years, said: “Probation staff do a vital job at the frontline of the justice system managing a large and complex caseload. It is vital that there is a proper review to learn lessons from the recent serious and concerning attack on an officer. Probation staff deserve to be safe in their work.”
According to the petition, many probation offices do not have dedicated security personnel, nor do they consistently use metal detectors or other screening methods to ensure the safety of their staff and visitors.
“This oversight places probation officers at significant risk, potentially exposing them to threats and violence from the very individuals they are working to help rehabilitate,” the petition says.
Most probation offices have panic alarms on the walls and no security guards. There is no guarantee that staff will be able to reach them if they are attacked.
In comments below the petition, one staff member wrote: “Since starting my new office in January, I have witnessed colleagues being punched, and on one occasion trapped in a room with an angry and aggressive service user. We do our best to manage risk. We use body cues, we use high-risk rooms, we ask our colleagues to keep an eye out if we are concerned. But we work with humans, who are unpredictable. With the best will in the world, we cannot read their minds.”
A former probation officer said they left the service because of threats, abuse and a lack of security.
“I worked in the Probation Service for five years before leaving, one of the reasons being the relentless abuse, threats of violence and the lack of security in our offices. Time and again, concerns about safety were not taken seriously,” they said.
The total number of offenders on probation in England and Wales at the end of March 2025 was 241,540, a 9% increase compared with March 2015.
The government began freeing thousands of inmates early in September to curb jail overcrowding, by temporarily reducing the proportion of sentences that some prisoners must serve behind bars from 50% to 40%.
A sentencing review by the former Conservative justice secretary David Gauke called for more criminals to serve their sentences in the community while being monitored by the Probation Service.
The Probation Service said it was conducting a review of the incident in Preston, and would consider whether further changes were needed nationally.
A spokesperson said an internal investigation that would consider the security measures at the site had already been launched. Officials are limited in what they can say because of the continuing police investigation and criminal charges. “Our thoughts remain with the probation officer involved, their family and their colleagues,” they said.
“We will not tolerate assaults on our hard-working staff. We have already launched an urgent investigation into security measures at Preston and will use the findings to consider whether further changes are needed across the entire service to ensure all staff are better protected.”
