Street cleaning staff in Wirral have been hurt after youths potentially aged as young as 10 opened fire on them with a ball bearing gun.
Two members of the Biffa crew were hit on the head and neck when they left their vehicle on Monday 11 May. While neither was seriously injured, bosses fear they could have ‘been blinded’ by the ‘thoughtless attack’.
Two youths, thought to be aged between 10 and 13, were behind the attack, which took place in the northwestern town of Birkenhead and left employees fearing for their health.
Crew driver, Geoff Quick, who was hit twice, said: ‘It was a very frightening experience and I feel I was lucky to escape injury.’
Local police were informed and are understood to be visiting the scene to make enquiries.
Biffa provides street cleansing, recycling and refuse collection services for Wirral Council.
Following the attack, a collections vehicle on Thursday 14 May received a police escort yet no incidents were reported.
Gary Robinson, Biffa’s business manager for the Wirral contract, said employees were already being subjected to verbal abuse physical threats yet this incident was ‘a shocking first for me and my crews’.
‘I just don’t understand how these youngsters could take pot shots so openly at people on the street. My guys were very lucky as they could have suffered eye injuries or been blinded by this thoughtless attack,’ Robinson said.
‘As well as the personal injury implications, incidents like this could affect how and when we provide the services that residents value and deserve.’
Cllr Bernie Mooney, Wirral Council cabinet member for environment and sustainability, branded the attack ‘senseless’.
‘The council is working closely with Biffa and local police to an effort to find the people responsible for these actions.’
Georgie Minnery of Merseyside Police said: ‘This was an extremely unpleasant incident in which several members of a street cleansing team had a pellet gun fired at them. The men were providing a community service in that they were cleaning up the neighbourhood for everyone’s benefit so it is particularly galling that this happened to them.
‘Fortunately they did not suffer a serious injury, but it was alarming nonetheless and completely unacceptable. Officers searched the area after it happened and I have increased neighbourhood patrols at key times.’
