Coronavirus crisis blamed for fly-tipping in Walsall
Walsall Council's leader says the closure of rubbish tips due to the coronavirus crisis is being used to justify fly-tipping.
Despite a year-on-year reduction, there were more than 300 reported incidents of fly-tipping in Walsall in March.
While there have been more than 90 in April to date.
Councillor Mike Bird said some people have claimed fly-tipping has occurred due to sub-contractor Suez closing the waste and recycling centres in Bloxwich and Aldridge in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The authority itself has also suspended garden waste collections as it prioritises household rubbish and recycling due to the restrictions.
But Councillor Bird said they will continue to hunt down offenders and shame them for their crimes.
Figures showed that in March, there were 320 fly-tipping incidents – 53 less than the year before. So far this month, there have been 94 compared with 124 up to this date in April 2019.
Councillor Bird said: “We are not sure if this is because people aren’t going out and have gone to ground or are lying low, such as those who would normally go to houses to say ‘give us £50 and I’ll clear your house’.
“We are still seeing elements of fly-tipping but I have made it clear – we will see you with our covert cameras, we will find you and we will fine you. And we will shame you for what is a criminal offence.
“These are people who don’t care about the rest of the world, it’s just what’s convenient to them on the day.
“It is shocking and some people will say, it’s because the tips are closed but that is rubbish. It’s not because the tips are closed.
“I also get some saying ‘oh, I’ve cleared my house or my garden and I’ve got nowhere to take it’.
“Well, it was in your house before so put it in a pile in the corner and when the tip opens you will be able to take that then.
“There are people complaining they are not getting their brown bins or grass cuttings collected but I say to them there are people in ICU or have passed away who would love to have that problem.
“I’m sorry but people have got to understand priorities in life.”
Walsall Council has implemented a number of measures to combat fly-tipping, which is estimated to cost the authority up to £1 million per year to clear up.
This includes imposing the maximum fines possible by law and introducing ‘Walsall’s Most Wanted’ page on its website which offers £500 for information that helps catch culprits.
