'F off you divvies': Cyclist claims £20k per year council warden swore at his family while out on bike ride

QUOTE:
A cyclist who claims he was sworn at by a Middlesbrough Council street warden while out on a family bike ride says he “disgusted�.

Adil Aurangzaib - a former street warden himself - questioned the level of training given to those carrying out the £20,000 a year minimum uniformed duties. Mr Aurangzaib, from Victoria Road, Middlesbrough, was on a bike ride with brother Ihtisham, 18, and cousins Junaid, 18, and Shoaib Iqbal, 14, when they turned into Corporation Road at about 5.40pm on Saturday, June 13.

He said: “We had gone past the Empire and were heading towards the roundabout near the job centre all in a line near the double yellows so traffic could go past.

“A car came up behind us and beeped. The driver put the window down and one of my little cousins asked ‘Are you ok mate?’�

“And he said ‘F off get off the road you divvies’ and shouted a load of abuse for no reason.

“He looked at me and flew off. It's absolutely disgusting.� dil claims the man in the car had a warden uniform on, a warden stab proof vest , and a radio on him.

“We were speechless. My little cousin who is 14 said 'I don’t want to cycle anymore, let’s go home'.

“It was just out of blue and I don’t know why he did it.�

The council’s street wardens are tasked with intervening where unacceptable behaviour occurs and supporting vulnerable people.

They have the power to issue fixed penalty notices and also wear cameras in order to record any incidents.

Last year the council recruited 24 new wardens with Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston pledging they would make a big difference and play an important role in the regeneration of the town centre.

Adil said: "We’ve e-mailed the mayor and he is helping us out." A spokesman for Middlesbrough Council confirmed it had received a complaint.

He said: “The council takes this kind of report very seriously and the matter will be thoroughly investigated in line with council policy and action taken where appropriate.� Cleveland Police also confirmed it too had received a complaint.

A spokeswoman said: “Police received a report from a man that he had been verbally abused by a male driver who pulled up in a vehicle as he rode his pedal bike on Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, at around 5.40pm on Saturday, June 13.

“Enquiries are ongoing in relation to this incident.�

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/t...laims-18461784