Shameful attacks condemned

Shameful attacks condemned

Community news, News

Epping Forest District Council condemned 2 separate attacks on refuse collectors as shameful.

Attacks on staff are totally unacceptable

Councillor Ray Balcombe, cabinet portfolio holder responsible for refuse and recycling said:

Attacks on our council or council-owned company staff are totally unacceptable.

I find it especially reprehensible following the incredible efforts made by everyone in the new TVS refuse collection service which transferred seamlessly before Christmas and has been collecting the waste and recycling for our whole district so efficiently since.

Selfish and impatient motorists

Councillor Balcombe continued:

To be clear, attacks on anyone going about their public service duties are inexcusable, but consider our refuse collectors in particular. Collecting our rubbish and recycling is one of the hardest jobs anyone can do. You are up before dawn. You are out in all seasons and weather. The work is physically hard and it can also be dangerous, even before the selfish intervention of impatient motorists who care more about being 2 minutes late than potentially putting someone in hospital.

I have no doubt there will be a few mindless people who would even support such attacks and abuse. We read these repellent views online all too frequently.

However, I am saying clearly, there is no place for such behaviour, or support for such behaviour in a civilised society. Shame on anyone who supports or carries out such acts.

Nazeing and Chigwell Row incidents

The council issued its statement after incidents in Nazeing and Chigwell Row. In the first incident, 2 men following a refuse freighter got out of their car to punch and kick refuse collectors to the ground, simply because their road was blocked while the crew collected some recycling.

In the other incident, a resident attacked crew members over a spillage, even though they were trying to clear it up.

The attacks took place on 20 December and 15 January. Every refuse freighter carries 360-degree CCTV cameras on which the attacks were recorded.

Show more care and consideration

Councillor Balcombe added:

Since TVS started collection in November, we have averaged 99.94% collection rates day in and day out. There will always be occasional spillages, missed collections, and temporary holdups to motorists but there is never an excuse for violent or abusive behaviour.

It is time to show more care and consideration to our refuse crews. They deserve better. After all, what would life be like without them?

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