Neighbouring borough, Slough Council, is calling on residents to be respectful of council staff following increasing levels of abuse and even assaults at its household waste and recycling centre.
It was reported last week (11 April), that a member of staff was verbally abused and then punched in the stomach by a resident who got irate when attempting to dump laminate flooring and was told there was a charge for disposal of DIY and building waste.
After punching the council staff member, the man fled in his vehicle.
The member of staff suffered minor injuries during the assault and the matter has been reported to the police.
Executive Director, Richard West, said: “We will not tolerate assaults on our staff.
“Like all public sector staff – including NHS staff, emergency services and staff across the council – the staff at the waste site are doing their jobs, trying to earn a living, in difficult circumstances and they do not deserve to be abused, verbally or physically.
“We understand people may be upset by charges for DIY waste but abusing and then assaulting a member of staff who is trying to help is unacceptable in any circumstances.
“Luckily it is a minority of residents who verbally abuse our staff and even fewer ever take the step of a physical assault, but one is one too many.”
