A major waste management company has issued a public apology after its employees were filmed disposing of a homeless woman's few possessions from a street in Dover.
Incident Sparks Public Outrage
The distressing event took place on December 27, when two Veolia workers in high-visibility clothing were seen removing personal items, including a mattress and bags sealed in plastic, from outside a Boots store on Dover High Street. Local resident Katie Whitcombe witnessed the clearance and described watching in horror as the workmen loaded the rough sleeper's belongings into their lorry.
"She's now going to come back and have nothing, even though she's got nothing at all anyway," Miss Whitcombe said. She expressed deep concern for the woman's wellbeing, noting the items appeared to include Christmas gifts from compassionate locals, such as a tiny vase of flowers.
Council Investigation and Company Response
Dover District Council (DDC), which contracts Veolia for waste services, launched an immediate investigation into the clearance. A spokesperson for Veolia stated the items were "incorrectly removed" following a request made through a public reporting portal.
The company acknowledged its failure to follow established policies, which are designed to ensure belongings are only taken when a person no longer needs them. "We are very sorry... We understand the impact this will have had," the Veolia spokesperson said.
As a direct consequence, the authority and its contractor have confirmed that all Veolia street cleansing crews will now undertake 'refresher training'. This training aims to prevent any repeat of an incident that has been widely condemned as heartless.
A Call for Compassion in Hard Times
Miss Whitcombe highlighted the particular cruelty of the timing, during the cold Christmas and New Year period. "To just have very little care and compassion is heartbreaking," she said. She also raised fears that the woman may have lost vital medication or items of deep sentimental value among her meagre belongings.
Unable to intervene in time, Miss Whitcombe instead contacted the local street pastors' outreach team to alert them to the situation, so they could offer the displaced woman support. The incident has shone a harsh light on the treatment of vulnerable people in public spaces and the procedures followed by council contractors.
Both Dover District Council and Veolia have reiterated their regret over the mistake, emphasising their commitment to handling such sensitive situations with greater humanity and adherence to protocol in the future.
