Security guards at an information centre for Sandwell residents are set to receive restraint technique training following attacks by violent and aggressive customers.

Members of staff have been attacked and in one case one received an arm injury at the One Stop Shop in Oldbury. Now security staff will be trained and given new “restraint powers” in a bid to step up safety.

The One Stop Shop, inside Sandwell Council House, opened in 2006 and provides a base where residents can deal with enquiries face-to-face with council staff. They can also pay bills including council tax at the centre.

A report which will be discussed by Sandwell’s improvement and equality panel next Monday states that there has been a rise in incidents over the last 18 months and police have had to be called on seven occasions.

The report said: “This proposal acknowledges and endorses the fact that employees of the council have a duty of care, not only to colleagues, to all parties who have cause to use the services of the one stop shop, which include members of the public, contractors, visitors and indeed any other persons with whom an employee comes into contact with when carrying out their duties.

“High standards of security for employees and members of the public are an integral part of providing high quality services and good customer care.”

Councillor Pauline Hinton, Sandwell’s deputy council leader, said: “This is being recommended because of a number of incidents recently.

“Only the minimum amount of reasonable force will be used in restraining people and it will only be used for the minimum amount of time necessary.

“It is being proposed because the council is determined to ensure staff are able to work without fear of violence from the public.”