Enforcement officer victim of town centre spitting attack

Police are investigating after an environmental enforcement officer was spat at in Grimsby town centre on Saturday morning.

The officer was spat at near the Cash Generator shop in Victoria Street at 10:15am on Saturday 20 June. The incident has been reported to Humberside Police.

North East Lincolnshire Council is appealing to anyone with information about the offence to contact the police by calling 101 and quoting the incident number 16/64926/20.

Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger Communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“Enforcement officers are here to help keep the borough free from litter and dog mess. They have the right to work in a safe environment and we will not tolerate any abuse directed at people working on behalf of the council.

“It’s unacceptable that someone who is working hard to improve the town for the benefit of everyone has been spat at in the street.

“We will not tolerate violence, physical aggression or verbal abuse of officers working on our behalf.

“Behaviour like this is disgusting, especially given the concerns about coronavirus.

“If you saw what happened or have any information about the incident, please report it to the police.”

A Humberside Police spokesperson added:

“No one should have to suffer being assaulted or abused for simply doing their job.

“An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of this incident and we’re appealing for any witnesses to get in touch with us on our non-emergency 101 line, quoting incident number 16/64926/20.”

Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has warned of a littering epidemic after beauty spots across the country have been left covered in mounds of rubbish as the coronavirus lockdown eases.

Patrols restarted in North East Lincolnshire last week after people left piles of cans, bottles, nappies and other litter in places including Cleethorpes beach, Weelsby Woods and other parks.

Officers are patrolling busy areas including Cleethorpes beachfront and Grimsby town centre, as well as the area’s busier parks.

They will give fixed penalty tickets for littering, cycling and dog control offences, as well as for smoking in commercial vehicles.

Officers from Local Authority Support carry out patrols and gather evidence which is passed on to Doncaster Council who issue the fines on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council.

Private patrols were introduced after a wide-ranging public consultation in 2017. People said they wanted to see more enforcement against those who litter and don’t pick up after their dogs.