A man has been arrested for perverting the course of justice as part of a lengthy investigation into sabotage and intimidation at Cityclean.
The 47-year-old from Brighton has since been released on bail while enquiries continue. He is the second person to be arrested as part of two-year investigation.
Sussex Police launched Operation Senate in early 2024 after reports of criminal damage, arson, threats and harassment at the council’s waste collection service were made.
Most dated from 2023 and 2024 – but Brighton and Hove City Council said incidents ramped up again in 2025 after changes to the service, including dumping the name Cityclean, were made.
In the first year, just one person was charged. Then GMB rep Dave Russell pleaded not guilty to possessing a samurai sword at the Hollingdean depot.
The CPS dropped the charge before the trial could take place because of “evidential weaknesses” – but a subsequent review found this was the wrong decision and a conviction would still have been a realistic possibility. Russell maintains his innocence.
The second arrest was made in November last year. It’s not clear what allegation it relates to.
One offence reported last year was in connection with compost that caught fire after a lorry defect meant it could not be tipped. Other allegations include earlier instances of alleged lorry sabotage.
Anyone with information relating to the police investigation is asked to report online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Senate. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Information can also be reported anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Anyone with a decent compost pile knows the heat it can generate. Imagine that on a summer day in the back of a lorry. Decent pile can do that within 12hr.
Cityclean or whatever rebranded glitter covered t**t they decide to go with is just a managerial mess and the history proves it. Best to either start fresh from the top (Tim Rowkins) down or sell it off to Veolia who will hopefully just sack the lot.
Perhaps you are too young to remember how poor the service was when it was in private hands? The current service is woefully inadequate but superior to the bad old days. You are very accurate when you criticise the management at the yard. IMO They are combative, lack insight and knowledge and frankly, have zero empathy, communication or organisational skills. As a result some crew members have become so demoralised, they spend more energy avoiding the work than executing their duties.
The “old” service was managed by councils, in house was meant be budget control, same xrap different wrapping
Management is so very poor here but equally the workforce are just as appalling, bunch of OAPs that won’t retire because they have it too good. I saw a bin man the other day and honestly he looked about 80 odd… Seen faster sloths, out money is being spent employing this lot, yet youth unemployment is through the roof… Unbelievable.
Justice?!
Even the perverts can’t empty the bins
GMB fanatics. Don’t ya just love em🤣
Are the trade unions in the room with you now?
Same bunch that ruined new the Community Project that would have reduced tax bills by taking profits from Veolia.
Supported by a full council unanimous vote.
Sabotaged and obstructed by GMB and some officers at Cityclean.
Cabinet Committee full of cowards and bullshiters
Anyone else noticed a downturn in collections of communal bins recently ?
I am curious to see the data trend since the in-cab monitoring and reporting system has been online.
Now they’ve sabotaged themselves with four EV dust carts which alledgely hardly leave the depot owing to constant issues and the expensive charging infrastructure needed for them. The Council refuse to reveal the full figure for taxpayers money they have wasted on this virtue-signalling disaster except the first four vehicles cost £2.3m. This has also worsened the already-toxic blame culture inside the Depot, making it even harder for operatives to do their jobs properly.
It gets even better, they ordered a EV skip lorry instead of the food waste one when they wanted a trial truck. Ended up parked up for weeks as there was no use for it for £££