COUNCIL staff in Somerset became embroiled in “gang-related violence” at a Yeovil café last year, officers have revealed.

Employees at the venue in the town's recreation ground were caught up in the incident when a young man claimed he had been assaulted, writes Daniel Mumby.

The council confirmed that none of its employees was injured in the incident.

It saw the workers at the Rec Café off Chilton Grove supporting the victim following an attack by a group of boys aged 12 to 17 last August.

A council spokesperson said: “Shortly afterwards, the group arrived and attempted to enter the café.

"Yeovil Recreation Centre staff had to intervene to help disperse them.

“Emergency services were called and a young female who attempted to enter the café through a window had to be escorted from the premises.”

The incident was one of 40 health and safety issues involving council staff last year, according to an annual report.

Of these, 28 were sustained by staff in the environmental services team, including five back injuries, five sprains, five minor cuts, three injuries caused by needles and two eye injuries.

The council’s countryside team, which manages Yeovil Country Park and the Ham Hill Country Park, along with other sites, suffered four minor cuts, two back injuries and one fall while holding machinery.

Among the 11 ‘near-misses’ recorded for was one instance of “water contamination” relating to Chard Reservoir in September, which the council manages as a leisure facility.

A spokesperson said: “Higher than normal levels of ammonia reported in the area of Chard Reservoir following a slurry leak upstream.

"Following advice from the Environment Agency temporary site signage was installed to provide advice. Levels returned to normal shortly after the event.”