Can you help us catch fly-tippers?

COUNCIL environmental enforcement officers are investigating a serious fly-tipping incident in the Gwendraeth Valley.

A large number of black and blue bags, a fridge-freezer, cardboard boxes and other rubbish was dumped in a lay-by at Heol Mansant, near Meinciau.

Officers are appealing to the public for any information which may help them to catch those responsible.

 

It is believed the persons involved may have used a Ford Transit type pick-up lorry with a blue cab and a white back.

Officers also want to speak to a man named ‘Tom’ who is thought to live in a caravan in the Pontyates area and may be able to assist in identifying the persons responsible.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “This is totally unacceptable and unfair to local residents who have to put up with this appalling mess on their doorstep.

“Not only does fly-tipping spoil our quality of life and enjoyment of the environment, but it can cause serious pollution and harm to human health and wildlife. It also costs the authority tens of thousands of pounds a year to clean up, money that could be much better spent.”

Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and anyone caught could be fined up to £50,000 and/or up to five years in prison.

Chair of the council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee Cllr Jim Jones has condemned the irresponsible behaviour of those responsible.

He added: “The council is committed to tackling fly-tipping and is working hard to improve the quality of the environment in Carmarthenshire.

“But we all have a part to play in keeping our communities clean and I would urge anyone with any information which may help to catch the offenders to please contact the council.”

The council, as part of Fly-tipping Action Wales, is working hard to stamp out the problem of fly-tipping by working with other partners such as the police, Environment Agency Wales and Keep Wales Tidy across The Valleys.

Fly-tipping Action Wales is part of the Valleys Regional Park initiative, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government.

Gary Evans, Project Manager for Fly-tipping Action Wales in The Valleys, said: “More than £25 million is being injected into The Valleys to help maximise the area’s potential for tourism and we cannot sit back and let fly-tippers blight our communities and beautiful landscapes.

“Taking a multi-agency approach to tackling fly-tippers by sharing intelligence and covert surveillance techniques has led to successful arrests and prosecutions and we hope that this will help Carmarthenshire County Council find those responsible.”

If you have any information in relation to this incident or can identify ‘Tom’ or his whereabouts, please contact Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.

Press note: For further information contact Carmarthenshire County Council communications officer Diane Phillips on 01267 224913.