Three decades after 25-year-old Suzy Lamplugh disappeared on a house viewing, the charity set up in her name is calling on UK estate agents to sign up to a new code to protect the personal safety of those selling, buying and renting property.
“When Suzy went missing, it was in the days before smart phones – the only clue her company had to whereabouts was an entry in the diary,” said Lara Wilks-Sloan of Suzy Lamplugh Trust. “We know from the work we carry out with companies that things have changed since 1986 but we’ve carried out new research that indicates 30 years on, safety in the housing sector is still a concern for estate agents and consumers too.”
In new research carried out by Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a quarter of consumers surveyed said they felt house viewing should be safer; almost three quarters feel it should be down to estate agents to make it safer. Meanwhile 29% of female estate agents surveyed by the Trust said they have felt unsafe at a house viewing – that equates to one in three working in the role. Suzy Lamplugh Trust has teamed up with leading estate agents Knight Frank and Savills, as well as SoloProtect, The Guild of Letting and Management and The National Association of Estate Agents, to produce “Suzy’s Code” for all UK estate/letting agents and housing associations.
Mark Hayward, Managing Director, National Association of Estate Agents said: “The safety of everyone in the housing sector is hugely important, but especially those who are involved in viewing properties as part and parcel of their day to day jobs. We welcome this research by Suzy Lamplugh Trust and join the Trust in calling upon all our members to sign up to Suzy’s Code.”
Suzy’s Personal Safety Code says organisations should:
Suzy’s Dad Paul Lamplugh welcomes the code, ““I think it’s excellent initiative that I thoroughly applaud. I very much hope that all estate agents will adopt it. I still miss Suzy enormously but at least her name is being used to benefit people and that’s wonderful.”
Andrew Hay, Head of Global Residential at Knight Frank said, “We take the safety of our staff and clients very seriously. Despite much improved technology since the tragic incident we have lone workers operating over many markets and strongly support the effort of the Trust to heighten awareness for the benefit of all. As sponsors of this research by Suzy Lamplugh Trust we were delighted to help produce Suzy’s Code and we hope it will be taken up widely across the industry.”
Craig Swallow, Managing Director of SoloProtect said, “We’re delighted to be one of the sponsors for National Personal Safety Day, and hope that Suzy’s Code will lead to safer lone working within the industry”.
Estate agents and organisations signing up to the code are asked to email: [email protected]
