Fly-tippers dump mattresses in Black Country street as council probes crime scene

Council officers are investigating after reports that the mattresses were initially found strewn along Northgate Way Road and on a footpath, but were later moved by unknown persons to a layby. 

The incident was first reported to Walsall Council on February 27.

The council's fly-tipping taskforce is now looking into the evidence as part of its EnviroCrime initiative which treats sites as crime scenes. The town hall has a zero-tolerance approach to the issue to deter incidents.

Walsall's cabinet member for cleansing service Street Pride, Councillor Kerry Murphy said: “This blight on our community is disgraceful. We are investigating to bring those responsible to justice, but we need your help.

“The mattresses were dumped in an industrial estate. We are asking neighbouring businesses or residents with CCTV footage or doorbell recordings to come forward. Given the large scale of the fly-tipping, we believe that it likely involved a transit van or large commercial vehicle.

“If you have any information or witnessed the fly-tipping, please come forward. Your information could be crucial in prosecuting those responsible.”

Walsall Council offers a £500 reward for information leading to a successful prosecution for fly-tipping. 

Householders have appealed in the Express & Star for the council to step up patrols, tighten fines and reduce the cost of using the bulky items collection service in a bid to tackle the blight.

Witnesses with information about the latest incident should report details via webpage: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/apply/myaccount-online-services/report-fly-tip