An Exploratory Study of Workplace Homicide in England and Wales

Abstract

Because violent crime in general, and homicide in particular, has not posed a particularly significant problem in Great Britain, studies of homicide in that country are relatively sparse, and research on workplace homicide is nonexistent. This article is an initial attempt to shed some light on this phenomenon in Great Britain. The writers first discuss the methodological problems they encountered; then, using the Homicide Index from the Home Office for 1982-1992, they proceed to analyze these data using such variables as the method of killing, apparent circumstances of the event, and characteristics of both victims and offenders. The findings suggest that the premises identified as being at high risk for workplace homicide in the United States are also locations of high risk in England and Wales. Retail shops, small businesses, fast-food restaurants, and eating and drinking establishments are all highly vulnerable to workplace homicide both in the United States and in England and Wales.