Security guard ‘threw bucket of cold water over homeless people as they slept’

A security guard who allegedly threw a bucket of cold water over homeless people¹ as they slept outside a shopping centre has been suspended.

The soaking wet group were trying to sleep in the back doorway of the Castle Mall, in Norwich.

Security firm Interserve² has now suspended an employee for alleged gross misconduct.

The People’s Picnic group, which serves food to the homeless and hungry in Norwich, claimed the incident had happened on its Facebook page³.

The group said in a post that it was “shocked and disgusted” and claimed the guard was “laughing” as he hurled the water.

Came home last night appalled to hear that a few of the guys seeking refuge in a doorway round the back of the Castle…

Posted by The Peoples’ Picnic on Wednesday, January 13, 2016⁴⁵

It added: “Not only did he leave them in soaking wet clothes, freezing and exposed to harsh declining temperatures, but also drenched their sleeping bags which were the only other means of keeping them warm.”

Amanda Phillips, centre manager at Castle Mall⁶, said: “We have concluded our joint investigation with Interserve, the supplier of our security service.

“We have found that an incident did occur on Sunday evening, and one of Interserve’s employees in the security team has been suspended on the grounds of gross misconduct and is no longer working at Castle Mall.

“Everyone in the management team at Castle Mall is very upset that members of the public have not been treated as they should be by someone working on behalf of Castle Mall.

“We apologise unreservedly to the individuals affected.

Getty Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Apology: The shopping centre has said sorry to the group

“We all sympathise with the plight of the homeless and the isolated behaviour of one individual should not reflect in any way on the rest of the team.

“We are now taking this opportunity to review our operating procedures and training practices to make sure nothing like this can happen again.”

An Interserve spokesperson said: “Following an investigation into the incident at Castle Mall, we suspended one employee for gross misconduct with immediate effect.

“We are very sorry for what has happened and are extremely disappointed with the behaviour of this individual, which is against everything we stand for as a company.

“We work closely with several charities for the homeless and take the issue very seriously.

“We will be making a donation to local homeless charities by way of an apology.”

References

1. ^{^} homeless people (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Security firm Interserve (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Facebook page (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^{^} The Peoples’ Picnic (www.facebook.com)
5. ^{^} Wednesday, January 13, 2016 (www.facebook.com)
6. ^{^} Castle Mall (www.mirror.co.uk)

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