Caretakers at Clydebank high-flats have raised fears for their safety over plans to have them tackle more anti-social behaviour.

Their concerns, raised during last month’s West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) meeting, were further heightened last week by a confrontation outside one of Dalmuir’s towers.

Police confirmed the workers, aged 53 and 38, were subject to shouting and swearing outside Dalmuir Court at around 5.35pm on April 9.

A 24-year-old man was banging on the driver’s side of a WDC work van, and when approached by the caretakers, he became aggressive towards them.

Read more: Concerns raised for caretakers to deal with anti-social behaviour

Police attended and issued the man with a recorded police warning.

Council papers last month showed an £81,000 underspend for tackling anti-social behaviour and vacant posts were awaiting a “service restructure”.

Peter Barry, the council’s strategic lead for housing and employability, told the meeting caretakers could take on some anti-social behaviour duties.

He said: “We are not asking them to take on specific tasks - we’re asking them to be more flexible. Positive discussions are underway.”

But David Scott, a GMB convener, said last week’s incident was the sort of anti-social behaviour staff are concerned they will have to deal with.

He told the Post: “Caretakers were told to walk away, but in future, we are supposed to be dealing with this.

“The management team gave the guys the night off - they were shaken up.

“We have to live and work with these people but they’re asking us to grass them in.

“It’s low level anti-social behaviour, but it’s totally different to what we do now.

“The caretaker service is very good. They want us to be more involved as witnesses.

“We can ask people not to drink or smoke in public areas, but any hassle we walk away - I don’t call that low level.”

He added: “They’re not taking into account the health and safety of staff. They’re saying these are just draft proposals, but we have major concerns because we have been doing this job long enough.”

Read more: First Bus carrying school kids goes up in flames in Clydebank

Councillor Danny Lennie, who lives in the Dalmuir high-flats, said the abuse of caretakers came as no surprise.

He said: “Our caretakers do a fantastic job, cleaning up everything from graffiti and used needles to bodily fluids. They go out their way to help anyone who needs it, they are the face of the council, and the council should be proud of them all.

“Sadly they have been getting squeezed, expected to do more and more, with less and less, expecting them to get involved with anti-social behaviour is a step way too far.

“I have lived in the flats for 23 years. I have seen the smallest of disagreements turn very nasty very quickly.

“Council officers are calling it low level anti-social behaviour, but the truth is there is no such thing - even the police tell you not to get involved and to call them.”

He added: “The caretakers are here to clean, help and assist.

“They are not here to put themselves at risk of physical abuse or harm, they are not here to put themselves in danger simply to save the council a few bob.

Read more: Clydebank's McMonagle's goes bold with new deep fried creations

“Forcing this change is reckless and irresponsible by the council and this change in terms must be removed.

“I fully support the caretakers, as do responsible councillors. I also support the unions in fighting this, as our employees should be worth a lot more to us than saving peanuts.”

A council spokeswoman said: “A review of anti-social behaviour and estate caretaking is ongoing and employees and trade unions are being consulted as part of this.

“No changes have been made and there will be further consultation before any decision is taken.

“This incident was completely unrelated to the review, and was reported to and dealt with by the police.

“We take a zero tolerance approach to abuse of our employees and will always assert their right to carry out their duties without being subject to such behaviour.”