Worker abuse could delay potholes being fixed in West Sussex
Council leader Paul Marshall said they could remove teams to protect their officers after repeated verbal and physical abuse.
West Sussex County Council is warning there could be delays to potholes being fixed because its workers keep facing abuse.
A statement from council leader Paul Marshall said they could remove teams to protect their officers, after repeated verbal and physical abuse.
It follows a 55-year-old woman being arrested on suspicion of assault after attacking a worker who was maintaining road closure rules on Wednesday.
The officer sustained minor injuries.
The council shared that further incidents including officers being deliberately splashed by passing cars, and verbal abuse - in person and online.
Cllr Marshall said any attack is "unacceptable": "Our officers are out across the county through all weathers, day and night, fixing the problems we’re seeing where they can or working to keep the public safe where they can’t.
Since the start of February alone we have cleared more than 2,000 drainage gullies and repaired more than 1,500 potholes.
"We have 22 teams working throughout the week, including evenings and weekends responding to issues as needed.
"No matter what the weather or the conditions they face, our teams are out there serving our residents.
"They should be able to do this without fear of verbal or physical abuse."
Responding to the incidents, Sussex Police Inspector David Greenwood said: "Officers will seek to take positive action on every occasion where offences are reported to us.
"Please respect the closures and people working to keep our community safe.”