'Selfish' dumpers foul Sunderland's Tunstall Hills and Hendon Beach car park with piles of waste

In the space of five days, Sunderland City Council received reports of fly-tipping at several locations in the city.

One pile was discovered in the car park at Hendon Beach while a further two were found in the car park at Tunstall Hills on separate occasions.

Now council bosses are calling for information that could lead to the prosecution of those responsible.

Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, Fiona Brown, said: “We would urge anyone who can help us catch the culprits behind this irresponsible and selfish behaviour to come forward with information.

“Fly-tipping is not only unacceptable but its also illegal and we can and will take action against those responsible if we have the evidence to do so.

“We know that household waste and recycling centres are currently closed and bulky waste collections suspended but we would ask people to do the right thing and act responsibly by storing their waste until it’s safe to dispose of.

“We’d also urge people to be wary of companies advertising waste disposal who may be less than scrupulous as this is putting an additional strain on a service that is already stretched due to the impact of coronavirus.”

Lucy Potts is among those to have been left disgusted by the dumping.

She said: "We saw the mess when walking our dog, a council worker in a pick up truck was clearing it all up.

“This is the second time this week the mess has been dumped, not long ago a few elderly people were bagging stuff up themselves to try to clean the area. It’s very dangerous for children and dogs and glass and all sorts is scattered all over the car park.”

It comes as the Echo continues its Clean Streets campaign, urging people to report fly-tippers and others who spoil our streets and open spaces, as well as encouraging people to do their bit to keep Sunderland tidy.

Recent years have seen council chiefs getting tough on those who drop litter or dump waste illegally, with action taken against fly-tippers as well as those who have hired unscrupulous operators to remove their waste – only for it to be dumped.

Litter-droppers have also faced prosecution and fines in the courts, including for dropping cigarette ends.

Sunderland City Council is reminding people that all residents have a legal responsibility to ensure that anyone they are employing to remove waste from their property holds a valid ‘waste carrier licence’ and that their waste is going to be disposed of in the correct manner.

You can check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency’s website or by calling them on 08708 506 506.

Anyone with information which might help the council trace those responsible for the waste dumps at Hendon Beach and Tunstall Hills car parks can contact the council on 0191520 5550.

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