A couple has been reported to police for abusing bin men during a row over uncollected rubbish.
The Sutton Council workers reported being approached by residents in Stafford Road, Wallington, who tried to climb into the cab and take photos of the crew inside.
They allegedly took action after not all their rubbish bags were collected on Monday, November 4.
But the bin men said it would not be possible because collecting "side waste" - or rubbish left beside the bin - was not the council’s policy.
When they arrived at the home they discovered 10 black bags stacked up and suspected it was commercial not domestic waste.
The residents allegedly continued to be aggressive and threatening towards the bin crew.
One reportedly stood in front of the bin lorry to prevent them moving forward while the other started loading up bags into the back of the lorry.
The bin crew were so concerned by their behaviour they returned to the depot and told their supervisors they felt threatened and were shaken by events.
Another resident of Stafford Road, who witnessed the incident, contacted the council to ask about the welfare of the bin crew and said: "The resident was extremely abusive towards, and swore at, the bin crew."
They alleged the residents continuously fly-tip other people’s wheelie bins with their own rubbish bags and dump others in a park.
The couple have claimed the bin men had not taken the bags from the week before so there were extra bin bags around their wheelie bin.
The residents of the house in question have been put on the council’s warning system and the enforcement team is going to investigate allegations of fly-tipping.
Colin Hall
Councillor Colin Hall, deputy council leader, said: "As far as we are concerned, these residents were acting like thugs.
"Shouting abuse and threatening our crews is totally unacceptable behaviour. That is why we have reported the matter to the police.
"We will not tolerate anyone being abusive or aggressive towards our staff.
"Our employees have the right to do their jobs without fear of intimidation."
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