ENVIRONMENTAL crime officers are vowing to use the 'full weight of the law' to eliminate fly-tippers after waste amounting to eight tipper trucks was dumped at Black Bear Park.

Communities continue to be blighted by dumped rubbish across the town and the Latchford park, off Loushers Lane, is the most recent site to be hit by a large-scale incident.

Environmental crime enforcement officers were sent out by the council last Thursday to sift through the mess for evidence.

Warrington Guardian:

The authority is calling on the public to work with them to combat the problem in the borough – the plea follows a 279 per cent increase in the number of complaints since 2011.

Cllr Judith Guthrie, executive board member for environment and public protection, said: "Clearing this fly-tipping, due to the behaviour of a selfish minority, is a massive waste of council resources.

"Incidents like this put a huge strain on us at an extremely challenging time.

"We will not tolerate fly-tipping in Warrington. It is a real blight on our communities and that's why we are taking a zero tolerance approach to it.

Warrington Guardian:

"There are a range of measures we use to tackle this problem. We will have no hesitation in using the full weight of the law against environmental criminals.

"However, we need your help. It's really important, if you spot fly-tipping, or any other environmental crime taking place, that you provide us with as much information as possible about what you have witnessed.

"The environmental crime team review every report – but we need you to provide us with the most detailed information you can, to help us find and take action against the perpetrators."

Warrington Guardian:

In order for the team to take action they either need information that leads officers to the person dumping waste, or evidence from within the waste to lead them to the culprit.

Residents can also play their part by ensuring anyone who offers to remove rubbish is a registered waste carrier.

Before passing over their waste for disposal, the council said residents should ensure they are provided with an official transfer note, confirming that the waste will be disposed of correctly.

Warrington Guardian:

Peter Astley, assistant director for regulation and public protection and Cllr Maureen McLaughlin (LAB – Latchford West) also made their way to Black Bear Park to see the mess first hand.

Cllr McLaughlin said: "The vast majority of council taxpayers are responsible people who take pride in their environment.

"They rightly expect council resources to be used for providing good quality services.

Warrington Guardian:

"It's hugely frustrating for everyone that our resources are being wasted on cleaning up the mess of selfish individuals who come into communities simply to fly-tip.

"Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and it's vital we all work together to put a stop to it."

DNA testing to identify those responsible for fly-tipping offences could be considered by council bosses to banish soaring clearance costs.

Warrington Guardian:

Birmingham City Council is investigating the high-tech tactic and Peter Astley, the authority's assistant director for regulation and public protection, confirmed it could be looked at in Warrington.

He said: "It sounds like it could be a possible solution. There are a lot of practical solutions we have to cover and we are always looking.

"The biggest success will be if the public report fly-tippers to us so we can have prosecutions.

"Sometimes the public think we take a soft line but we will use whatever tools possible to stamp this out.

"A small proportion of society needs to realise they can't leave their litter wherever they like. People who use clearance companies also need to be aware of who they are using."