Zero tolerance policy launched after attacks on Sandwell Council staff

The policy, which is being run alongside the authority’s waste partner Serco, follows the news of binmen, street cleansing employees and operatives working at the tip being verbally or physically assaulted during a 14-month period.

Incidents range from verbal abuse when collection vehicles are temporarily blocking the road, to actual physical abuse with items being thrown at crew members, and workers being knocked down by drivers while working on the footpath.

One incident resulted in a prosecution for dangerous driving after a motorist drove into an operative who was at the rear of a refuse vehicle emptying a bin.

Councillor David Hosell, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: “The employees deliver a very valuable service to residents in the borough.

“The level of abuse they endure from members of the public is not acceptable and I urge the residents who do this to reconsider their behaviour.

“It is not easy to manoeuvre large vehicles on busy roads and although we try to avoid extremely busy areas at peak times it is not always possible.”

While John Mason, contract general manager for Serco, added: “We have a duty to ensure that we carry out our services for residents in a safe way for everybody and we also have a duty to protect our employees whilst they carry out their work.”

Due to the increasing number of incidents, Sandwell Council, Serco and the unions GMB, Unison and Unite have agreed a charter that outlines what behaviours are unacceptable, and all employees will be trained to manage violence and aggression they experience in the workplace.

Tony Barnsley, branch secretary for Sandwell UNISON, said: “Staff do a brilliant job keeping Sandwell borough clear of rubbish.

“They deserve everyone’s thanks and praise, not abuse. UNISON welcomes the message from Serco that abuse of our hardworking members will not be tolerated.”