Three Attacks in a Month at Cornwall’s Recycling Centres

Cornwall Council has issued a fresh warning to the public after three separate incidents at the county’s tips in May, including one where a visitor was assaulted by another member of the public.

What happened

The three incidents took place across Cornwall’s Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) during May. In one case, a member of the public was assaulted by another visitor. In the two others, staff members were threatened and abused.

Every incident of violence and aggression at the sites is reported to the police, and abusive visitors are banned.

A repeat warning

Last year Cornwall Council backed a campaign called We Refuse Abuse, led by Suez, the company that runs the county’s HWRCs on behalf of the Council. The campaign drew attention to abuse aimed at waste staff both in Cornwall and at sites across the country.

The Council says it remains committed to supporting its staff and contractors, and will not tolerate abuse, violence or aggression.

‘Totally unacceptable’

Councillor Loic Rich, cabinet member for Environment and Climate Change at Cornwall Council, said it was disappointing to see further incidents at the sites.

“This behaviour is totally unacceptable. We will report incidents to the police. We will not hesitate to ban individuals that act in this way,” he said.

“I urge everyone to respect the staff and other visitors when visiting the sites.”