YOUTHS took “pot shots” at street cleaners with air rifles as they worked in Birkenhead, hitting them in the head and neck.

The yobs, who appeared to be aged between 10 and 13, repeatedly fired the BB gun at the Biffa crew and their vehicle as they began carrying out their duties.

Fortunately, neither was seriously injured but Biffa - which provides recycling, refuse collections and street cleaning services for Wirral Council – says such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Crew driver Geoff Quick, who was hit twice during the incident, which happened in Bentinck Place on May 11, said: “It was a very frightening experience and I feel I was lucky to escape injury.”

After being struck, Geoff shouted at the youths, who then ran off.

A passing member of the public is reported to have told Biffa’s supervisor that he too had been shot at earlier.

Officers from Merseyside Police later visited the scene to make enquiries and, at Biffa’s request, escorted collections vehicles and crews on their scheduled round later that week. There were no further reported incidents.

Patrols have also been stepped up by police at “key times”.

Gary Robinson, Biffa’s business manager for the Wirral contract, said: “I thought I had seen just about everything in this job – but this is a shocking first for me and my crews.

“I just don’t understand how these youngsters could take pot shots so openly at people on the street. My guys were very lucky as they could have suffered eye injuries or been blinded by this thoughtless attack.

“The safety and wellbeing of our staff is our number one priority. As well as the personal injury implications, incidents like this could affect how and when we provide the services that residents value and deserve.”

Mr Robinson added that Biffa crews already face significant risks when  out  on their rounds, such as being verbally and physically threatened or being endangered by impatient motorists driving close to crews and vehicles on rounds.

Birkenhead is no stranger to anti social behaviour problems, with both the council and police working closely to find a way to tackle the problem.

More than £900,000 has been invested over the last 12 months in tackling consequences of disorder across Wirral, with £436,000 in the Birkenhead area alone.

Councillor Bernie Mooney, Wirral’s cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: “This is truly senseless behaviour which cannot and will not be tolerated. Biffa’s employees need to be able to continue doing their vital job on behalf of the whole community in safety.

“I’d urge residents, if they witness any other incidents where BB guns are being used in such an irresponsible way, to report them to the police and help keep streets safe in the future.”

Birkenhead neighbourhood inspector Georgie Minnery added: “This was an extremely unpleasant incident in which several members of a street cleansing team had a pellet gun fired at them.

“The men were providing a community service in that they were cleaning up the neighbourhood for everyone’s benefit so it is particularly galling that this happened to them.

“Fortunately they did not suffer a serious injury, but it was alarming nonetheless and completely unacceptable.

“We are currently involved in a comprehensive operation with our partner agencies to tackle all forms of anti-social behaviour in Birkenhead and the surrounding areas, and I would urge anyone with information about the people involved to contact the police.”