CIWM advises on riotcleanup guidance and safety

10 August 2011

Following yesterday's fantastic public response to riots and damage across England, many today want to volunteer their clean-up services but need advice.

• What to do, where and when
• What health and safety precautions might be needed
• What to bring

The answer is simple:

ALWAYS contact your local council first. Many are tweeting or using other media, websites etc. saying where help is needed and how volunteers can get involved.

In many cases the council has reacted so quickly and thoroughly or the affected area is still a crime scene, that in those cases there might not be much that CAN be done.

There are always hygiene and basic safety issues associated with the most innocuous of litter. Riot related rubbish and debris could be sharp, might even be hot and could be lying on top of something more harmful.

Basic hygiene and safety advice for "normal" litter clean up campaigns run by Keep Britain Tidy is available on their web site - http://www.thebigtidyup.org/

CIWM is delighted with the public's response but our advice is ALWAYS ALWAYS talk to your local council first.