Yobs steal bins then set them ablaze on parkland
Yobs have been stealing wheelie bins from homes and setting them alight on parkland, leaving neighbours to pick up the costs, it is claimed.
Tipton Green councillor Ian Jones said the bins were stolen from houses along Central Avenue and set alight on a nearby park locally called the 'cracker'.
As a result, residents have had to pay £12 to replace their bins otherwise their rubbish would not get taken, Councillor Jones said.
He said: "Residents have contacted me and said local youths have stolen their bins and set fire to them on the cracker. It has apparently been happening for weeks now. Sandwell Council won't collect the resident's rubbish unless their black bin liners are in the wheelie bins.
"It costs £12 to get a replacement but I don't that is fair if the bins have been stolen.
"I have asked the cabinet member for highways and environment to look into it."
Sandwell Council said it was investigating the matter while West Midlands Police said officers would be patrolling the area.
A spokesman for the force said: "Police have been contacted and will have patrols in the area, but no official crimes have been reported to us. Police will be monitoring the situation."
Councillor Jones said he found 10 burned-out wheelie bins on the park land alongside another one that was intact.
Central Avenue runs through both wards of Tipton Green and Princes Ward in Tipton and councillors from both wards have been contacted by residents.
Councillor Stephen Jones, of Princes End Ward, said: "The problem seems to be getting more prevalent but it has been happening for some time.
"It seems to have been moving around the borough. Police seem to sort it out in one area and then it moves to another."
The other councillors who have received complaints from residents are Councillor Bill Cherrington and Councillor Ahmadul Haque.
