Street cleaner in hospital after being attacked in Derby city centre

A street cleaner at Derby City Council remains in hospital after sustaining serious injuries in a “cowardly” attack while doing his job. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands the incident happened on the morning of Saturday, October 28[1], in St Peter’s Street in Derby city centre. The male victim is understood to work for the council’s Streetpride department. Derbyshire police have been investigating[2].

The force issued a statement to say that a man was assaulted. They added that two men were arrested in connection with the incident and subsequently charged with wounding with intent. Derby City Council leaders[3] say they have been “extremely saddened” by the incident.

Limited details of the incident were made public at a full Derby City Council meeting earlier this week where Labour councillor Sara Bolton spoke on her motion to protect public service workers from abuse in the workplace. Following the meeting, Hardyal Dhindsa, Derby City Council’s cabinet member for Streetpride, issued a statement which said: “We were horrified and extremely saddened to hear about this abhorrent attack on one of our colleagues. The gentleman – a street cleanser – was simply doing his job at the time he was assaulted.

“This cowardly attack is sickening. Our colleagues work incredibly hard for the people of Derby, and like everyone else have the right to go to work without fear of harm or harassment. “I’d like to thank the police for their swift action.

Council officers here have been in regular contact with the gentleman, and as well as being dealt with by the police, we have completed our own internal investigation into the incident.” Councillor Bolton was upset at the events and said the victim was still in hospital with serious injuries. At the meeting she called for greater protection for frontline workers, be it council workers or those who work in the retail sector, as well as other public service professions, and for police “to explore what action can be implemented to support frontline workers”.

Councillor Bolton said: “One of our Streetpride operatives a few weeks ago got attacked in the city centre. He was carrying out his duties early in the morning, picking up litter and he got attacked. “He’s still in hospital and I’m sure all of us here (in the council chamber) will want to send the best wishes to that member of staff.

But it brings to light what is happening – not only in Derby but throughout the country.” Cllr Bolton said supermarket workers in the city and beyond were “frightened to go to work” because of an increase in abusive incidents. She added: “People who go to work, whether it is to deliver a service for this council, any council or the NHS, should not have to be putting up with this.

You shouldn’t be frightened to go to work.” Cllr Bolton’s motion, which received unanimous backing from councillors, came just weeks after the LDRS highlighted how hundreds of workers at Derby City Council alone had suffered violence[4] in the workplace in recent years. Newly published figures showed how more than 600 incidents had been reported to council bosses between April 2019 and March 2022 where workers had suffered abuse, been threatened or physically harmed while carrying out their work.

Liberal Democrat councillor Emily Lonsdale supported Cllr Bolton’s motion. She said: “It’s a very good motion and much needed. “Not that long ago Sainsbury’s workers had started wearing bodycams.

You shouldn’t be a shop worker and feel that you need to record the people who are coming in because of this abuse.”

References

1. ^ on the morning of Saturday, October 28 (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
2. ^ Derbyshire police have been investigating (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
3. ^ Derby City Council leaders (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
4. ^ highlighted how hundreds of workers at Derby City Council alone had suffered violence (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)