Suzy Lamplugh’s legacy underlines the need to always make lone-worker safety a priority
More than 40 years after estate agent Suzy Lamplugh disappeared while attending a work appointment, her legacy remains a powerful reminder that personal safety must be central to workplace practices.
On 28 July 1986, 25-year-old Suzy Lamplugh left her London office for an appointment and never returned. Her disappearance led her parents, Diana and Paul Lamplugh, to establish the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which works to raise awareness of personal safety and stalking to help prevent similar tragedies.
Personal safety should be a priority for every business, particularly where lone working is part of the role. Propertymark has published updated guidance to help property agents assess risks and strengthen lone-working procedures.
Make safety part of workplace culture
Employers should assess the risks associated with lone working, considering the work, location, and individual circumstances. Staff should help shape and review procedures, drawing on their frontline experience.
Risk assessments should identify when tasks can be undertaken alone and when additional support is needed. Factors to consider include previous threats, existing disputes, isolated locations, poor mobile coverage, out-of-hours appointments, unexpected attendees, and known property hazards.
Training should ensure staff can recognise warning signs, reassess changing situations, manage conflict, leave safely, raise the alarm, and report concerns. Workers should also be empowered to end or rearrange an appointment if they believe it is unsafe.
Lone working is part of everyday agency life
Sales, lettings, commercial, auction, and inventory professionals regularly carry out viewings, valuations, inspections, and appointments alone or work in branches without nearby colleagues.
While most appointments pass without incident, lone workers are more vulnerable if something does go wrong. Risks include violence, accidents, medical emergencies, unsafe buildings, work-related driving, isolation, stalking, and harassment.
Check-in systems need a clear response
All agencies should have a reliable system for recording where lone workers are, who they are meeting, and when they are expected to check back in. Crucially, procedures must clearly explain what happens if a check-in is missed or an alarm needs to be raised.
Equipment and emergency procedures should be tested and reviewed regularly, with alternative arrangements in place if a device fails or there is no signal.
Report concerns and support affected staff
All members of staff should be able to report violence, threats, stalking, harassment, and near misses within a structured and easy to use framework. Reports should prompt appropriate action, including checking the worker’s wellbeing, preserving evidence where appropriate, and reviewing whether existing control measures remain effective.
The psychological effects of an incident can continue long after the immediate danger has passed. Employers should maintain contact with affected staff and provide appropriate practical and wellbeing support.
Propertymark training and support
Propertymark has refreshed personal safety, and lone working guidance, sharing key information, advice and resources to help individuals and businesses protect themselves and their colleagues when working solo.
Kim Lidbury, ARLA Propertymark President comments,
“Suzy Lamplugh’s plight remains something that will forever resonate within the housing sector, the tireless dedication of her parents over many years and the ongoing work of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust commands the utmost respect and empathy.
“Suzy’s disappearance shocked the nation and remains an event that, to this day, weighs heavily on the minds of those working within property.
“Raising awareness and tackling issues surrounding lone working and harassment extends far beyond the boundaries of the property sector and must remain at the forefront of people’s minds. It is a profoundly important issue that must never be overlooked or forgotten, and one that everyone has a collective responsibility to understand.”
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