BRADFORD bin collectors have started wearing body cameras after an increase in threatening incidents towards them over the past few years.

The Council says it has adopted a zero tolerance approach following incidents of both verbal and physical abuse. Crew members have been slapped, punched, spat at, had stones thrown at them and been threatened with a baseball bat and a knife.

A bin round was suspended for the day in Buttershaw recently following an incident which the police were called to.

There have already been three reported serious incidents this year. In 2017 there were eight, in 2016 there were 12 and in 2015 there were two.

A spokesman for the authority said: “Our waste collection crews have experienced an increase in threatening incidents whilst collecting waste across the Bradford district.

“If anyone is violent, threatening or abusive towards a member of Bradford Council staff we will take appropriate action.”

The Council has said some of the waste collection vehicles are fitted with CCTV cameras to help keep employees and members of the public safe, as well as reducing the risk of fraudulent claims of accidents and incidents.

Some of the claims have included damage to parked cars.

Another addition has been in-cab technology which helps crews log bins not put out, contaminated bins, those with open lids and those which are too heavy.

They are also able to log issues preventing bin collection such as roadworks, parked cars, adverse weather conditions or mechanical failure.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for environment, sport and culture said: “I am flabbergasted that people would behaving in this way against staff who are just going about their work.

“It is simply not acceptable and there has to be a behavioural change in these people. It is happening across all our public services.

“The body cameras will help as a deterrent against attacks and abuse while CCTV and in-cab technology will help log data and deal with complaints.”