Sussex PCC supports new #SiteKind campaign

Tackling abuse of keyworkers

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne attended the SiteKind launch event in Newhaven this week. SiteKind is a new campaign led by nationwide company Veolia who deliver the waste management service (including recycling) for East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council.

Like many of the UK’s frontline service industries, in the last year Veolia has seen a sharp rise in abuse of their team members by the public. To tackle this and to raise awareness, they are launching SiteKind to ‘thank the vast majority of the public for supporting their teams, whilst making it clear that being abusive is not OK’.

The campaign reminds members of the public to treat keyworkers with respect, kindness and patience. This could be when speaking with them at household waste recycling sites or when they see keyworkers out on the streets or in town centres collecting rubbish and recycling.

It also reminds the public that action will be taken against those who abuse or endanger employees and if necessary, the police may get involved.

The launch event took place at Newhaven Household Waste Recycling Site and provided the opportunity for Veolia to promote the campaign and discuss further opportunities for collaboration and support with key figures in the county.

The day also provided the chance for representatives from Veolia’s South East frontline team to talk about how abuse from the public affects them and the devastating impact it can have.

As National Business Crime Lead for the Association of Police & Crime Commissioners, Katy Bourne has already backed the successful and ongoing campaign #ShopKind which aims to tackle abuse of retail workers.

Speaking about the event and supporting the campaign, Sussex PCC Katy Bourne said:

 “Abuse of any frontline worker is simply not acceptable, especially when they are just trying to do their jobs, earn a living and make life easier for all of us. 

“Abuse towards Veolia’s teams can come in many forms - whether it’s being verbally and physically violent to workers on site or being aggressive on the streets of our towns and villages and showing impatience by revving engines and beeping car horns. 

“SiteKind is a simple message and a reminder to everyone to show frontline workers kindness and the respect they deserve. We’ve heard real-life examples across many industries where abuse has been detrimental to workers’ health and this then affects the services we all desperately rely upon.

“I look forward to supporting this important campaign and sharing it nationally with my PCC colleagues as it spreads a much-needed message both here in Sussex and across the country.”