Seven incidents of verbal abuse against Ealing Council refuse collectors were recorded last year, new figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show.
The incidents took place between April 2024 and March 2025 and involved members of the public verbally abusing waste management staff. The FOI request by Accident Claims Advice also showed no incidents were recorded in the previous two financial years.
The abuse was directed at workers on the borough’s refuse and recycling collections, which are carried out by Greener Ealing, the council-owned waste and environmental services company.
Despite the increase in reported abuse, Ealing Council recorded no workplace injuries involving refuse collectors during the three-year period reviewed. Ealing Council also confirmed it has paid no injury compensation to waste collection staff over the same timeframe.
Figures from other London authorities present a mixed picture. Croydon Council recorded 23 assaults, including six physical attacks, over the same three-year period, along with 44 workplace injuries. Enfield Council logged eight assaults and 41 injuries, although neither authority reported compensation payouts.
Patrick Mallon, head of department for accidents at work and public liability claims at JF Law, said: “Refuse collectors perform an essential public service, often in challenging conditions. Yet the number of assaults they face highlights the risks frontline workers encounter every day.”
An Ealing Council spokesperson told EALING.NEWS: “Greener Ealing’s crews provide a vital public service and it is completely unacceptable for them to face any form of abuse while carrying out their work. Although the number of reported incidents has increased this reflects improved reporting and staff confidence in raising concerns. Even so one incident is one too many.
“We are committed to protecting our workforce through vehicle CCTV, conflict awareness training and clear escalation procedures.
“We take every report seriously and will continue to work closely with our contractor, community safety teams, and the police, where necessary. Abuse of our staff will not be tolerated and anyone who is abusive or violent towards them can expect consequences.”
