Imerys security worker assaulted on haul road near Roche

A china clay company has spoken out after one of its security staff was left with facial injuries during a confrontation at one of its working pits, an issue it admits will divide opinion.

What happened at Littlejohns pit

Imerys says it became aware last week of a young person riding a motocross bike on an active haul road at Littlejohns pit, near Roche. The rider was with an older male. When a member of the company’s security patrol approached and asked them to leave, he was verbally abused. The older male then physically attacked the security worker, leaving him with facial injuries.

The company says it has dashcam footage of the incident and has passed it to the police.

Why the company says it is so dangerous

Littlejohns is a working pit. Imerys says its fully loaded mobile plant, weighing 115 tonnes, uses the private roads throughout the day. Drivers do not have full visibility because of the height of the cab, so a small, fast-moving bike could easily go unseen.

A collision between a bike and a truck of that size would end very badly for the person on the bike. The company says avoiding that kind of tragedy is its absolute priority.

A problem the company says is getting worse

Imerys describes the assault as part of a growing pattern rather than a one-off. Its security staff, who it points out are local people doing a job, face verbal abuse almost every day, and it says vandalism is increasing all the time. The company described the behaviour as aggressive, destructive and mindless, and pushed back on the idea that it is just kids having fun.

It also says it receives complaints every week from the public about motocross and e-bikes terrorising walkers and horse riders on permissive paths and the clay trails.

Access versus safety

The company says it understands the frustration of local people who want access to mining land, which is why it keeps trying to open up more safe spaces. It says it has added 25 miles of permissive paths this year.

Imerys says it remains committed to listening to community concerns, but added that it will not tolerate the intimidation or assault of its staff.