People dumping rubbish illegally in Stafford Borough have been handed fines totalling £2,000.

It comes as Stafford Borough Council is appealing for help to track down fly tippers who left several industrial sacks of waste in a layby near a village in the north of the borough.

£500 penalties were imposed on four people following offences in the village of Derrington, and the Littleworth and Penkside areas of Stafford, over the last few weeks.

Householders have a duty to ensure they properly dispose of any rubbish - and a senior councillor has repeated his warning for residents to ensure those offering to remove waste are registered to do so.

The fines were given to:

• A woman who dumped numerous bags and boxes on a service road (pictured)
• A man who discarded rubbish in Derrington Lane from a house in Cannock after being ‘recommended’ as a waste removal business
• A woman who left her litter strewn across the pavement in Littleworth
• And a man who dumped concrete slabs in an area of Sydney Avenue.

Also, in the last few weeks, more than 15 white sacks full of industrial waste were left in a layby off the A519 near the village of Cotes Heath in the north of the borough - with the council publishing the pictures and location on their website in the hope someone will have information to trace the offenders.

You can see more at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/grimewatch

Councillor Ian Fordham, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Fly tipping, littering and other environmental crimes are a blight on our communities. They can cause environmental damage, they attract anti-social behaviour, make areas look untidy, and have an adverse impact on the quality of life for our residents. And most people are disgusted when people fly tip in their community. 

“Private householders are liable for their waste. It may seem like a cheap alternative paying someone to get rid of it - but if they are not a registered waste carrier then you leave yourself open to a fine or even prosecution.” 

Tips to avoid breaking the law: 

1. Always check credentials of people offering to take rubbish https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers
2. Ask where they are going to dispose of the waste.
3. Always get a receipt.

And for more information www.staffordbc.gov.uk/alternative-waste-collectors

Councillor Fordham added that the industrial waste at Cotes Heath was on such a large scale he was sure someone would have information about where it had come from - or who dumped it in the layby.

You can contact the council in confidence to report environmental crimes at grimewatch@staffordbc.gov.uk or 01785 619000.

Press Release No 6148