Bin men physically attacked and threatened as they try to clear nation's rubbish

Bin men are regularly punched, spat at and threatened with weapons, shock figures show.

Some 61 refuse workers were physically attacked while trying to clear our rubbish last year, according to council stats obtained under Freedom of Information laws. Last night Brian Lennie, a bin lorry driver from Ipswich, Suffolk, said: "I've been verbally abused and called names – It's something I've got used to, but it shouldn't be the case.

"It can sometimes feel unsafe when you're working alone. Traffic wardens and police don't work alone, yet we are expected to. There has been cut after cut after cut and I am concerned there will be more – the government needs to invest more in local councils and pay for the services people need."

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Residents typically kick off when workers refuse to empty recycling bins contaminated with general waste. One incident in Wiltshire saw a bin man injured by metal ball bearings fired from a slingshot. In Tameside, Greater Manchester, a resident threw his rubbish at the crew and set his dog on them. And In Derby, a bin man was attacked by the driver of a car whose wing mirror he had tucked in so the lorry could get through a narrow gap.

It comes as hundreds of refuse workers in Birmingham continue to strike over poor working conditions and planned pay cuts. Tens of thousands of people work as refuse collectors in the UK and typically earn between £24,000 to £33,000 per year.

A Local Government Association spokesperson said: “Council staff work incredibly hard to collect waste and recycling and keep our streets clean and clear of rubbish. They are highly visible frontline staff who carry out an essential function within our communities and should be able to carry out their duties without fear of assault or abuse. Any attack on a refuse collector, verbal or physical, is completely unacceptable under any circumstances.

Clare Keogh, Unite national officer for local authorities, said: “These shocking figures and stories highlight just how tough and demanding being a refuse worker is. Unite has been campaigning and has raised disputes with employers on this for years.

"Reports of abuse and health and safety breaches must be taken seriously - or we will see unrest in the sector continue to spread. Refuse workers play an immensely important role, with all of us relying on the work they do. However, the difficulties of the job have been exacerbated by years of austerity and cuts to council funding, with greater pressure applied on workers to meet higher demand with fewer resources.”