British businesses are leaving staff and customers unprepared for violent incidents on their premises. That’s the warning from Black Onyx Academy, the veteran-led prevention and training organisation behind the accredited S.A.L.T. (Save.A.Life.Today) course.

The call comes as retail data highlights the scale of the problem. According to the British Retail Consortium’s 2026 Crime Report, there are more than 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers per day (590,000 a year), and 13,000 incidents involving a weapon over the year. Nationally, police recorded 48,774 offences involving knives or sharp instruments in England and Wales in the year to March 2026.

Black Onyx Academy argues that the national conversation has focused almost entirely on policing and young people. That has left a critical question unanswered: are British workplaces actually prepared?

“Most employers have a fire evacuation plan and a defibrillator on the wall, but almost none have a plan for what happens if violence escalates on their premises,” said Stefan Northfield, Strategic Lead at Black Onyx Academy. “Retailers, transport operators, hospitality venues and offices are increasingly the backdrop for serious incidents, yet staff are rarely trained to recognise risk, de-escalate a situation or stop catastrophic bleeding in the minutes before paramedics arrive. Those minutes decide whether someone lives or dies. Preparedness is now part of an employer’s duty of care, and it’s far cheaper than the cost of getting it wrong.”

The organisation is urging businesses to ask three questions:

  • Do we have staff trained in conflict de-escalation?
  • Do we have catastrophic bleed control kits on site, and people who know how to use them?
  • Do we have a clear response plan if an incident occurs?

The push for preparedness comes as organisations get ready for Martyn’s Law. The Act is expected to come into force in spring 2027 and will require qualifying venues and events to have public protection procedures in place.

Black Onyx Academy’s training is built on military experience in conflict de-escalation, risk assessment and emergency response, translated into a practical, accredited course for businesses, transport operators, schools and community organisations. The academy also recently launched the UK’s first veteran-led Mobile Knife Amnesty Van, touring communities to collect surrendered weapons and open direct conversations with the public.

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