REFUSE collectors in Sandwell suffer a catalogue of racist abuse, threats of violence, road rage incidents and even attempted assaults from residents and car drivers, it has been revealed.

Council officials have said that last year they logged 29 incidents where staff were verbally attacked and confronted by members of the public.

The list includes householders being aggressive towards drivers and loaders and even using cars to block-in refuse lorries.

Often the abuse took place after bins were not emptied because they contained hazardous waste or bulky items which have to be disposed of separately.

The details were revealed following a Freedom of Information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The list shows staff suffer road rage from impatient motorists who are forced to wait as refuse vehicles frequently stop to collect bins. 

In one case, a car swerved towards a council worker as the driver shouted abuse at the shocked binman.

Another refuse collector reported that a motorist threatened to knock him out. 

But the majority of incidents related to householders threatening and swearing at workers.

A refuse vehicle loader had to step in and prevent a resident grabbing his colleague by the throat.

One householder also blocked a refuse vehicle in with his car so the bin men could not go onto his property to collect a bin. 

Other incidents included a council driver who was racially abused because he asked a dog owner to keep his pet under control while the refuse vehicle reversed into a street.

Sandwell Council has said it will do all it can to protect its staff abuse.

Councillor Maria Crompton, cabinet member for Safer Communities, said: “Over the past year we have had a number of incidents relating to abuse/threatening behaviour towards staff which were reported to the police.

“One case resulted in prosecution.

“Sandwell Council, along with it’s  waste partner Serco, has a zero tolerance policy which aims  to reduce the increasing number of employees being verbally or physically assaulted by members of the public.

“The safety and wellbeing of staff whilst carrying out their daily duties is paramount, and we shall continue to take all measures possible to protect them from any form of abuse.”