Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 12 May 2022

NUNEATON and Bedworth Borough Council bosses have stressed to residents that they have a “zero tolerance” policy towards people assaulting or threatening members of any of their teams.

The reminder has came after a refuse collection team member, who was working in the nearby and neighbouring town of Bedworth, was pushed and shoved by a ‘disgruntled’ resident, because the team member had refused to take side waste.

The team member was luckily able to continue carry on working their shift.

But, this incident has seen the Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Public Services, Coun. Sue Markham (Con, Bedworth North), stress that the refuse team only collect waste from the black bin.

And, she further explained that those who threaten or assault members of the Council’s team will be reported to the police.

She explained: “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.”

She further added, and concluded: “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.”