Refuse worker assaulted whilst at work in Bedworth

"It is not acceptable in any way that our teams feel threatened."

A Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council worker was assaulted whilst on a shift and the council have now issued a warning. 

The refuse worker was pushed and shoved by a disgruntled resident in Bedworth because they refused to take side waste. The team member was able to carry on with their shift.

The council are now reminding residents that Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has a zero-tolerance policy towards anyone assaulting or threatening members of its refuse collection teams, or any other teams.

Cllr Sue Markham, portfolio holder for public services at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: “Our refuse and cleansing team work hard in the Borough to remove residents’ black bin waste, it is NBBC’s policy that we do not collect side waste from properties but only the black bin.

“If the black bin is full, then it is for the resident to make alternative arrangements for the disposal of additional waste. This is to ensure that we can collect all other residents’ black bins on that route that day, as collecting additional waste would impact on service delivery for everyone else.

“Most residents work with us on this and follow the rules. The bins we provide are big enough to handle the waste most households produce.

“I support fully that any resident who approaches our NBBC teams with any threatening or assaulting behaviour will be reported to the Police for action to be taken immediately.

“It is not acceptable in any way that our teams feel threatened as they are just following the policy decisions taken by the Council which are intended to make sure effective services can be delivered.”