Almost one in three women agents say they have felt unsafe at a house viewing.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, set up after 25-year-old Suzy vanished on a viewing 30 years ago, is now calling on UK estate agents to sign up to a new code.

New research by the Trust found it was not just agents worried about their safety during viewings, but also members of the public – a quarter of whom said house viewings should be safer.

Lara Wilks-Sloan of the Trust said: “We know that things have changed since 1986, but 30 years on, safety in the housing sector is still a concern for estate agents and consumers too.”

The Trust has teamed up with the NAEA, Knight Frank, Savills, the Guild of Letting and Management, and SoloProtect to produce “Suzy’s Code” for all agents and housing associations.

Mark Hayward, NAEA managing director, 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 the 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:

• Implement a buddy system so that colleagues always know each other’s whereabouts and contact details. This should include checking in and out when meeting arriving at and leaving the property, including appointments at out of normal office hours.
• Have a system in place for colleagues to raise the alarm.
• Have a clear procedure to follow if someone does not return or check in when expected.
• Where possible arrange for viewers to visit the office before meeting them at the property so that colleagues have also seen them.
• Offer all staff a personal safety alarm and have discreet lone worker devices available. Before conducting a viewing, find out who else will be present in the property (current tenant, contractors etc).
• Finally, make sure all staff are aware of and have access to the personal safety measures available.

Suzy’s father Paul said: “I think it’s an 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.”

LiveLifeSafe@suzylamplugh.org