Fly-tipping van repurposed to deter offenders

The van will warn offenders of the consequences of fly-tipping

A van used in "one of the worst" fly-tipping dumps in Middlesbrough’s history has been seized and repurposed in attempts to deter others.

It comes as the council said it had received 5,485 reports of waste and fly-tipping in the last 12 months.

In April, the authority removed almost 25 tonnes of rubbish from back lanes over two days, with a further six tonnes collected from a single alleyway shortly after.

The vehicle, which was salvaged from being scrapped, will be used to collect rubbish, warning others of the consequences of flouting the law.

Middlesbrough Council said it had received 5,485 reports of waste and fly-tipping in the last 12 months

The Labour-led council said a growing number of people were being prosecuted.

In the last 12 months, 120 people received fixed penalty notices, with fines of up to £800.

The authority said it was also aware people were advertising online to dispose of household waste for £20 to £30, but in many cases that rubbish was illegally dumped in backstreets and bushes.

It cost more than £14,000 for the council to clear up the mess

Darren Mills, of Grangetown, dumped 61 tonnes of household and building waste near the former Turford Avenue Social Club in Brambles Farm, opposite a children's nursery.

In 2023, he was handed a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

It cost the council more than £14,000 to clear up the mess.

The van is being used to collect heavy pieces of fly-tipping including mattresses and fridges

Now, the council has put a big sign on his van telling residents "it was seized after being used for fly-tipping" and people breaking the law will be prosecuted.

Dale Metcalfe, the council’s community safety manager, added: "It’s a really powerful message, that everyone in the town can see."

Mayor Chris Cooke said fly-tipping was "a blight on society, which angers and upsets countless communities".

He said it was "outrageous that taxpayers had to foot the bill for the clear up costs, when there were many places to take waste".