The number of West Midlands Police officers patrolling the Birmingham bin strikes ‘have been cut’ at picket lines.
Birmingham City Council confirmed policing numbers were reduced after delays for waste collection lorries at three of its depots today, Friday, May 16, and at two depots yesterday, Thursday, May 15.
It prompted fears residents could face further disruption to collections in the coming weeks.
READ MORE: Birmingham City Council makes £3m in an hour after rapid property sales
A police spokesperson said: “There continues to be a police presence at the sites in line with our core policing responsibilities.”
BirminghamLive has asked the police why policing numbers have been reduced and the force is looking into the inquiry.
A forces spokesperson said: “Following a High Court ruling last week on the use of s14 powers, we have reassessed the legal position and the powers available to us.
“The section 14 legislation is no longer in place as the issue does not currently meet the threshold.
“We will continue to assess the situation and ensure our presence at the sites is in line with our core policing responsibilities.”
A pile of bin bags in the Selly Park area of Birmingham -Credit:Alexander Brock/BirminghamLive
Police also confirmed to BirminghamLive that a law under Section 14 of the Public Order Act around public gatherings was “no longer in place.” Under these powers, police had helped secure the exit of waste collection trucks in recent weeks.
A council spokesperson said: “We are grateful for (the police’s) ongoing support and will be looking at all of our options so we are able to try and maintain a service to residents.
“However, if we see the level of disruption we saw at the start of the strike this may not be possible.”
Waste collections delays happened at Lifford in Kings Norton, Atlas in Tyseley, and the Perry Barr depot this morning.
A council spokesman told BirminghamLive today: “Actions by pickets at three of our depots have meant very few of our waste lorries have been deployed this morning, Friday, May 16.
Striking bin men walked in front of bin lorries leaving Birmingham City Council’s depot in Redfern Road in Tyseley
“People have the right to strike but those that want to work should be allowed to do so. We also want to ensure the situation is safe for everyone, which has to be a priority for us.
“Unfortunately delays this morning will affect the amount of collections we are able to make.
“We will continue to look at all options to ensure we can get trucks out and keep the streets clean.”
Yesterday the council said that due to industrial action by Unite at depots at Lifford and Atlas “some collections may be disrupted in the South, Central and East of the city.”
A Unite spokesperson told BirminghamLive: “The council’s claims are an attempt to blame workers on legal, safe and peaceful picket lines for the disruption to services it has caused through its huge and unnecessary pay cuts.”
The all-out bin strike has been ongoing since March 11.
Despite ongoing talks between the council, Unite on behalf of the bin workers and subsequently conciliation service ACAS, nothing has been resolved.