Highway Heroes Face Abuse: Spat, Hit, and Attacked

Highway officers in Cambridgeshire have experienced severe mistreatment, including spitting, physical assaults, and having objects thrown at them. Since November 2024, the region has recorded 29 incidents of threatening behaviour and four direct assaults on staff. These harrowing experiences have prompted a call for greater public respect towards essential workers.

Specific areas like Milton Road in Cambridge have been highlighted as particularly dangerous for those maintaining public infrastructure. Incidents have ranged from verbal abuse and hair-pulling to a woman driving her vehicle at a staff member and ramming barriers. In response, workers have begun wearing body cameras to deter such behaviour.

The 'Stamp It Out' campaign aims to raise awareness about the widespread issue of abuse faced by public-facing roles, with research indicating half of such workers experience weekly abuse, though much goes unreported. Officials have strongly condemned the unacceptable actions, vowing to prioritize the safety of highway crews and take a zero-tolerance approach to threats.