ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Street cleaners operating in three areas of Madrid are receiving protection from the municipal police after a spate of attacks by local thugs.

Cleaners have recently complained of being shot at with pellets, had eggs thrown at them and receiving verbal and physical abuse in some areas of the city.

The neighbourhoods of Villaverde, Carabanchel and Latina are considered among locals to be the most dangerous in Madrid with local gangs accused of making residents´ lives a misery. Municipal workers such as social service officials, firefighters, emergency doctors and cleaning staff have all reported coming under attack when attending incidents or performing their duties.

"I don't recommend that you stay more than 20 minutes, here the gangs are dangerous," said one of the residents.

Last year alone, the Alto de San Isidro and Pan Bendito areas of Carabanchel reported 1,170 incidents in which perpetrators were detained. On one occasion a leaf blower was stolen and had to be retrieved by police officers. Madrid's municipal police have now started to accompany street cleaners as they go about their duties to protect them.

Street cleaners often operate alone, at night or in the early hours and are frequently the target of abuse as a result, particularly in urban areas. In 2018 there were calls for street cleaners in Glasgow to be equipped with body cameras following a spate of verbal and physical attacks in the Scottish city.

Municipal staff reported being subjected to verbal abuse and pranks and also being bombarded with empty bottles.