Dorset Council launches campaign to tackle abuse of highways workers

A Dorset Council construction supervisor has shared his experiences of the increasing levels of abuse faced by highways workers, as part of a new campaign aimed at protecting frontline crews.

Ben, who has worked for Dorset Council for more than two decades, says incidents of verbal and physical aggression towards highways staff have become worryingly common.

He said:

“I’ve worked for Dorset Council for 21 years, and I’m proud of the projects I’ve helped deliver. I like making a difference in the county I live in.

“But the worst part is that we’ve started to normalise abuse. We come to work almost expecting to be shouted at or told what we do is worthless, and that’s not a nice place to be.

“I sometimes see my colleagues receive abuse from the public, verbally and even physically. It’s unsettling to see not just colleagues, but friends, going through that.

“People can be very aggressive, loud and confrontational. I can’t imagine going into someone else’s place of work and telling them what they did was worthless and a waste of money.

“I want the public to understand there are repercussions to they way the talk to us, and it is unacceptable.”

Dorset Council has highlighted that highways teams play a vital role in keeping roads safe and usable, often working in challenging conditions to maintain essential infrastructure used by residents and visitors alike.

In response to the rising number of incidents, the council has launched a dedicated campaign calling on the public to treat highways workers with respect and to make clear that abuse will not be tolerated.

Roadworks are a routine part of maintaining and improving the transport network, from repairing potholes to delivering major schemes. While such work can cause temporary disruption, the council says the vast majority of drivers remain patient. However, a small minority direct their frustration at site staff, creating unsafe working environments.

Allowing crews to carry out their work without intimidation helps schemes to be completed more efficiently, ultimately minimising disruption for road users.

Cllr Jon Andrews, Cabinet member for Place Services at Dorset Council, said:

“It saddens me that our workforce, who work to improve the lives of Dorset’s residents and visitors, should have to face abuse.

“Everyone should feel safe at work. Our employees should never be threatened, intimidated or assaulted because of the job they do.

“They work in all weather conditions and sometimes in difficult circumstances. These are our sons, daughters, fathers and mothers, just regular Dorset residents. Please put yourself in their shoes before you take out your frustrations on them. Show some respect and kindness.

“This campaign comes as Dorset Council commits to a major programme of investment in our highways network, with up to £115million spent over the next four years.

“But highway improvements can only happen if our crews are allowed to work safely and without abuse. Every delay caused by intimidation or aggression slows down progress and, ultimately, costs taxpayers’ money.”

The council has confirmed that any verbal or physical abuse towards its highways staff will be reported to the police. CCTV is in operation at work sites and body-worn cameras are used by crews, with footage retained as evidence where required.

Each reported incident triggers an investigation, diverting staff away from core highways duties. This can lead to longer road closures, delays to projects and increased costs.

Dorset Council operates a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and provides its workforce with training and support, including techniques to help de-escalate difficult situations.

Members of the public who witness abuse towards roadworkers are encouraged to report it. Immediate threats or violence should be reported by calling 999. Non-emergency incidents can be reported via 101, or directly to Dorset Council’s customer services team.

The council also supports the national Stamp it Out campaign, which works to end abuse of highways workers by raising awareness, working with police forces and campaigning for stronger legal protections.

Abuse, whether verbal or physical, has a serious impact on workers’ wellbeing and can delay essential projects, affecting communities and road users. Nationally, more than 2,300 highways workers reported abuse in 2023, including incidents involving weapons.