Waste campaign is load of rubbish

FLY-TIPPED PILE PART OF COUNCIL EXERCISE

- By BRITTA ZELTMANN

RESIDENTS in Cornwall are being warned they risk fines of up to £1,000 if they dump their waste illegally. A huge mound of rubbish could be seen at Golitha Falls, near Liskeard, last week.

But the giant mess, made up of old household items and cordoned off with police tape, had not been left by members of the public. It was set up by Cornwall Council in a bid to warn people of illegal dumping in rural areas.

Fly-tipping is a serious offence and carries tough penalties. Offenders can face Fixed Penalty Notices of up to £1,000 for large-scale or hazardous dumping and £500 for smaller incidents.

In the most serious cases, prosecution through the courts can result in unlimited fines and even imprisonment for up to five years. Vehicles used in fly-tipping may also be seized and destroyed, and offenders can be ordered to cover cleanup and legal costs.