South Tyneside Council is appealing to the public for help following two serious cases of fly-tipping in the Borough.
A large amount of waste including flammable liquids was illegally dumped at Boldon Nature Reserve on Sunday and waste also containing flammable materials was discovered at Boldon allotments on Monday by the Fire Service.
Both quantities of waste have since been removed but the Council is keen to encourage anyone who saw either of these incidents of fly-tipping to come forward.
Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety, Councillor Moira Smith, said: “It is disgraceful that a tiny minority of people can blight our communities in this way.
“The fact that this waste contained flammable items and was dumped so close to livestock at the allotments and a nearby factory displays a level of ignorance and irresponsibility that is difficult to fathom.
“Whoever dumped this waste has shown a flagrant disregard for the law, the local community and the people directly affected by their reckless behaviour.”
Councillor Smith added: “We are determined to bring the culprits of fly-tipping to justice but we do need the help of the public. Given the scale of waste dumped on these two occasions, we would urge people to get in touch with the Council if they saw a large vehicle carrying this type of waste in the area.
“Similarly, anyone who witnesses fly-tipping is asked to take a note of vehicle details and report it to the Council. Calls can be made in confidence.”
For further information about the many ways waste can be safely responsibly disposed of in South Tyneside visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling or call the Council’s Customer Contact Centre on (0191) 427 7000.