WARNING ISSUED AFTER FLY-TIPPERS FINED

Actions have consequences.

That was the message from Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston following two fly-tipping incidents in the centre of the town.

Both have been investigated with the perpetrators made to pay fines for the disgusting behaviour which blights communities and has a negative effect on residents' lives.

The incidents both happened in the Crescent Road area of Gresham.

In the first, Middlesbrough Council's recently formed "Environmental Flying Squad" received a tip off that waste was being left between Harford Street and Costa Street.

Officers attended the scene and caught the offender red-handed dumping waste in the alley.

In the second a report was made to the team of dumped wooden kitchen units near to the alley gates between Harford and Essex Street. Following a review of CCTV and door-to-door enquiries the offender was identified.

In both instances a Fixed Penalty Notice of £400 was issued and subsequently paid by the fly-tippers. Fly-tipping is a criminal offence which carries a fine of up to £50,000 (unlimited if the case goes to the Crown Court), or an offender can even be sent to prison if they do not pay the Fixed Penalty Notice.

Mr Preston said: "This type of behaviour is absolutely disgusting and the people that will do it need to know they won't get away with it.

"We launched the Environmental Flying Squad earlier this year to basically get in the faces of these bad people who have no care or thought for anyone else.

"Already we are seeing rapid results and these two incidents and the swift fines dished out should act as a warning to others."

Cllr Barrie Cooper, Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Environment, Finance and Governance, added: "I'd like to thank the flying squad team, the CCTV operators and the public who have all pulled together really quickly and made sure the perpetrators in these cases have been caught and fined.

"We hope the message this sends is loud and clear - we won't tolerate fly-tipping and we'll put everything we have into stopping it and punishing it."

• Any information on fly-tipping can be sent in confidence to evidence@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Members of the public can also call the Warden Hotline on 01642 228500 and ask to speak to a member of staff from the Environmental Flying Squad.

Anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and dozens of other offences can also be reported online at www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/report

ENDS

Press Notice 6740. 10/12/21

Issued by Andrew Pain, Senior Communications Officer on 01642 729503.

www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

Follow Middlesbrough Council on Twitter: @MbroCouncil

NOTES TO EDITORS

Pn6740 Harford & Costa Street - Picture shows the fly-tipping at Harford and Costa Street where the perpetrator was caught in the act and fined £400 by Middlesbrough Council's "environmental flying squad".

Pn6740 Harford & Essex back street - Picture shows the fly-tipping in the alleyway at Harford and Essex Street where the perpetrator was tracked down and fined £400 by Middlesbrough Council's "environmental flying squad".