'The net is closing on these criminals and we now need your help' - Witness appeal after HGV-sized mound of waste dumped in Staffordshire road
Lichfield Council is appealing for witnesses after a mound of waste spanning 40-feet was fly-tipped in a country road, blocking access to homes and businesses.
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The mammoth amount of waste was discovered near the Wood End Lane entrance to Watery Lane on Monday morning - it is thought that the waste was fly-tipped in the early hours.
Council officers are working to clear the area and identify and prosecute those responsible.
They believe the vehicle used in the crime was an HGV tipper truck.
They are appealing to any motorists who were driving along Wood End Lane at around 11pm on Sunday night (January 19) or 12.45am on Monday morning, and who may have dashcam footage.
At both those times officers want to identify an HGV that reversed off Wood End Lane and down Watery Lane before dumping the waste and then driving back onto Wood End Lane.
Investigators believe they might have found some clues in the rubbish that will lead them to those responsible.
Jack Twomey, the council’s environmental protection and housing manager told the PA News agency that they are following several leads.
“[The waste] was deposited late on Sunday night into the early hours of Monday morning," Mr Twomey said.
“We have got some CCTV footage that suggests there were two vehicles involved. It may be that there were more but thus far that’s what it seems to be pointing towards.”
Cabinet Member, Councillor Alex Farrell, said: “We’ve had a team of environmental health officers searching the waste and going door-to-door to obtain CCTV footage and now have a number of leads to go on.
“We’re asking drivers who were in the area at the times the waste was dumped to please check their dashcam footage for the type of vehicle we believe was used in the crime and share anything they have with our officers.
“If you have any information about the people or vehicles involved, or the origin of the waste, then please call us on 01543 308000.
“We’ve already got covert cameras out in vulnerable areas, and Lichfield District Council has a strong reputation for catching fly-tippers, seizing their vehicles and prosecuting them.
"The net is closing on these criminals and we now need your help.”
