Bin workers attacked in two assaults in city
At a glance
Four refuse workers have been attacked in two assaults in Stoke-on-Trent while collecting bins
Two of the four needed hospital treatment, Staffordshire Police said who have linked the attacks
A metal pole and tools including an axe were used in the assaults
The attacks were called "completely unacceptable" by the city council
- Published
Four refuse workers have been attacked in two assaults while collecting bins in Stoke-on-Trent.
A man punched a refuse collector and damaged a bin lorry with a metal pole on Fairhaven Grove, Birches Head, at about 11:15 GMT on Tuesday, police said.
About half an hour later, three men attacked three refuse workers with tools including an axe on Birches Head Road.
Both attacks are being treated as linked, officers said.
The man attacked in the first assault, aged in his 50s, was taken to hospital with injuries to his head and face.
One of the trio assaulted in the second incident suffered injuries to his face, head and torso and paramedics took him to hospital.
The other two were treated at the scene and discharged, the force said.
There was not thought to be a wider risk to the public, they added.
Two of the four refuse workers attacked needed hospital treatment, police said
The attacks were described as "completely unacceptable" by Stoke-on-Trent City Council which suspended waste collections on Tuesday after the assaults.
Crews restarted collections on Wednesday and residents affected by the suspension will have their bins collected in due course, a spokesperson added.
"Our thoughts are with those who were injured and their loved ones, and we would like to praise and thank our crews for doing their jobs," they added.
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