Members of the public are being reminded that threats and violence will not be tolerated at Cornwall’s Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs).
The warning comes after three incidents in May. On one occasion, a member of the public was assaulted by another visitor. In the two other incidents, staff members were threatened and abused.
All incidents of violence and aggression at the HWRCs are reported to the police, and abusive visitors are banned from the sites.
Last year Cornwall Council backed a campaign led by Suez, which operates Cornwall HWRCs on behalf of the Council, called We Refuse Abuse.
The campaign highlighted abuse directed at staff both in Cornwall and at sites across the country.
Cornwall Council remains committed to supporting its staff and contractors and will not tolerate abuse, violence or aggression.
Councillor Loic Rich, cabinet member with responsibility for Environment and Climate Change at Cornwall Council, said: “It’s really disappointing to see that there have been further incidents of violence and aggression at Cornwall’s Household Waste and Recycling Centres.
“This behaviour is totally unacceptable. We will report incidents to the police we will not hesitate to ban individuals that act in this way.
“I urge everyone to respect the staff and other visitors when visiting the sites.”
Press release issued on June 11, 2026