These are the shocking pictures of fly-tipped rubbish dumped by cowboy waste collectors

It comes after five householders were ordered to pay clean-up costs after the waste they’d paid to have taken away was found dumped in rural spots around the city.

In each case the householders had paid a “man in a van” to remove the waste.

One case involved a Castletown resident, who had to pay for a clean-up after already paying £110 to have cabinets and household refuse taken away. These were later found fly-tipped in Hylton Castle Dene.

A Chester Road resident paid £30 for carpets, black bags and plasterboard to be disposed of. The waste was later found dumped in St Luke's Road.

A Farringdon householder paid £25 for removal and disposal of a fridge-freezer, wood and laminate flooring. This was later found in Foxcover Road, between Herrington and Hastings Hill.

A Doxford resident paid £10 for the removal of cardboard and broken furniture, also later found dumped in Foxcover Road.

Two incidents of fly-tipping in Camberwell Way, Doxford and Hope Hill farm track in Tunstall were traced to a Pallion address. The householder had paid £40 for waste removal.

Deputy council leader and cabinet member for environment and transport, Councillor Michael Mordey, said: “Residents shouldn't be fooled by these cowboy waste collectors. They have absolutely no scruples when it comes to fly tipping waste they have been paid to take away.

“As householders we all have a legal duty of care to make sure our waste is disposed of lawfully. Failing to do so is an offence. So if these cowboys take your waste and then dump it, it's you who could end up footing the bill for the clean up.

“If you are arranging a private collection, you need to be really careful to check where the waste is going and whether they have a valid waste carrier's licence.”

Residents can check if the waste collector they're planning to use has a license on the Environment Agency’s website www.gov.uk/guidance/access-the-public-register-for-environmental-information, or by calling them on 08708 506 506.

Alternatively, arrangements to remove up to six items for £10 can be made by booking a bulky collection at www.sunderland.gov.uk/article/12143/Bulky-waste-collection.

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