Bosses at a Scots council have pleaded for "respect" from the public after health and social care staff were abused during the lockdown.
The workers at North Lanarkshire council were allegedly accused of 'spreading coronavirus' in tirades from members of the public while simply carrying out their jobs amid the current coronavirus outbreak.
Now council chiefs have urged residents to behave.
A Facebook post from the local authority read: "A number of ( North Lanarkshire ) health and social care staff have been verbally abused while delivering care to our most vulnerable.
"Such behaviour is in the minority, however Health and Social Care (North Lanarkshire) is asking people to show respect towards staff at this challenging time.
"Our staff should never face any abuse of any kind.
"They deserve our thanks and their dedication and empathy should be recognised by everyone during this extremely challenging time.
"We take any acts of physical or verbal abuse very seriously.
"Where staff are abused while working, whether in the community or in our hospitals, we absolutely encourage them to report any abuse in line with our policies."
The post drew an angry reaction from locals against the " cretins " abusing the staff.
One wrote: "Shocking!!! People need to grow up! Go and give abuse to the eejits still visiting parks!!!"
Another wrote:"These cretins should face charges! Well done and thank you all for Your hard work."
Another wrote: "Disgusting behaviour.
"Thank you to all the health and social care workers making sure the most vulnerable are looked after."
