A staff member at a Greater Manchester tip had his jaw broken after he refused entry to a visitor, a meeting heard. Some recycling centres in Greater Manchester already impose ID checks to ensure customers are local.
But waste bosses at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have approved the initial introduction of ID checks at every recycling centre in the city-region. At their latest meeting in the GMCA’s Tootal Buildings, bosses said the safety of staff is ‘paramount’ as they implement the roll out.
Staff safety ‘paramount’
Chair of the GMCA’s waste and recycling committee, Alan Quinn, said: “Some of our staff have been assaulted. One man got his jaw broken because he, quite rightly, turned someone away.
“You come into work safe and you should be able to get home safe. Safety of staff is paramount.”
The introduction of ID checks was initially approved in March following increases in ‘cross-border’ visits to recycling centres across Greater Manchester, waste bosses explained.
Closures in neighbouring regions
Closures in neighbouring regions of Lancashire, Cheshire East and Derbyshire has led to fears that even more people will come from outside the region to use the tips.
Committee members agreed to see the roll out of ‘soft checks’ being introduced at the beginning of 2027 at all Greater Manchester tips – following the ‘Christmas rush’.
These ‘soft checks’ include notification leaflets for tip-goers; waste centre staff telling visitors they need to bring their ID in future; banners warning of ID checks at tips; and social media messaging. Full implementation of ID checks at all GM recycling centres is expected to be introduced later in 2027.
ANPR cameras and vulnerable residents
Paul Morgan, head of commercial services, explained that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras could also be introduced at a later date for a better customer experience. It was thought this could also reduce queues.
Coun Stephen Anstee asked what would happen in a situation where a vulnerable person was being helped by a family member from outside of the borough with their waste.
Mr Morgan explained there would need to be a paper-based ID system in place for these situations. He added that this would need to be in place anyway as lease cars don’t have their number plates registered to the drivers address.
The committee felt that Greater Manchester residents pay their council tax and get a ‘fantastic’ waste service for their money. But they felt outsiders shouldn’t benefit from this if they don’t pay council tax in the city-region.
Coun Alan Quinn added: “I know councils are strapped for cash but if you make your bed you have got to lie in it. If you pay council tax here you are paying for these facilities.
“We cannot have this system being abused.”
