Introduction

Workplace violence is a pervasive societal phenomenon, with some professions commonly experiencing physical and verbal assaults in the line of duty. Public-facing employees, such as law enforcement officers and security agents, are particularly at elevated risk of injury due to being attacked by members of the public. For example, in the trains network in England and Wales, more than 52.4% of train operating companies’ employees report experiencing workplace violence, and a similar number (45.6%) feel unsafe at work (British Transport Police, 2022). Such incidents lead not only to human suffering but also to tremendous costs in the form of delayed services, employee turnover, and an added premium to the cost of maintaining an efficient travel ecosystem. Subsequently, workplace violence has become an increasingly important issue for policymakers and researchers alike. [NEW PARAGRAPH] Can body worn videos (BWVs) provide a layer of protection against workplace violence? What are the potential uses of these devices in this environment? Are employees receptive to this technology? Will evidence captured by BWVs help prosecute transgressors? This book attempts to address these issues, from the perspective of train operating companies in the UK.