'Fly-tippers 'will be sent court’ says Dewsbury councillor

Dewsbury East councillor Eric Firth said ‘irresponsible perpetrators’, who have been fly-tipping during lockdown, will be dealt with by the courts when lockdown ends.

Kirklees Council reopened recycling centres across the borough this week after being put under pressure due to an increase in fly-tipping and encouragement from the Government to re-open.

Mr Firth said: “There’s been an increase in fly tipping by irresponsible people who are totally contemptuous of society.

“They have no regard to the wellbeing of others and think rules are simply not for them.

“I know our officers do go through the waste and attempt to identify the source, even though it’s not a particularly nice job.

“Officers have successfully traced a number of the perpetrators and they will be taken to court.”

The council closed all its municipal tips on March 24 following ‘unprecedented’ demand over a sunny weekend that led to staff being overwhelmed.

It followed a decision by workers with Suez, which operates Kirklees’ tips, to shut gates after confrontations with ‘aggressive’ residents who refused to follow advice on two-metre safety rules.

Dewsbury homeowner, Karen Stephens said: “I’ve been on walks to Calder River canal, and Sands Road next to Dewsbury United Cricket Club.

“I’ve caught people in the act fly-tipping.

“I don’t get what goes through people’s head because it damages the eco-system and is a danger to wildlife.

“They’re locusts to the planet.”

Dewsbury East councillor Aleks Lukic said: “During lockdown some parts of Dewsbury have suffered fly-tipping on multiple occasions, causing upset for surrounding residents like Ms Stephens.

Council staff have been working hard to clear dumped waste as quickly as possible and dozens of penalty notices have been issued over the last few weeks.

“A mobile CCTV system is due to be trialled later this year, which should help to tackle this problem in the worst affected areas.”