Living in Werrington we enjoy the benefit of a semi-rural existence with wonderful views of unspoilt countryside and unique moorland of unequalled scientific interest.

Sadly, not everyone sees it for the beauty spot it is, and some use it as a place to dump their rubbish out of sight of prying eyes without any consideration for our environment and the safety of valuable livestock and wildlife. Our neighbouring farmers are often left with the job of clearing up and making sure that discarded plastic bags are picked up before they choke unsuspecting cattle.

Fly tipping is a problem across the whole of the country and recent figures show that local authorities dealt with more than a million incidents in 2016/17. Obviously, the cost of cleaning up is enormous yet the prosecution rate for fly tipper’s is very low.

As chair of the parish council I have been championing initiatives to lessen the incidents of anti-social behaviour locally and have seen the power of you; local residents, who have been vigilant and had the confidence to pass information on to the police.

My aim is to stop fly tippers operating in our Parish and I am asking you all to continue being vigilant and pass on any information that could lead to the perpetrator’s being caught by reporting your observations to police and local authority or by using the anti-social behaviour hub in the library either by accessing it through the library website or calling in and completing an ASB form.

Hertfordshire started a Fly -tipping Group to combat a significant rise in incidents that included a campaign known as ‘SCRAP’ an initiative that provided residents with a checklist to follow when using carriers to remove their waste:

• Suspect all waste carriers. Don’t let them take your rubbish until they provide proof of registration. Note their vehicle’s registration.
• Check that your waste carrier is registered on the Environmental Agency’s website.
• Refuse any unsuspecting offers to have your rubbish taken away.
• Ask how your rubbish will be disposed of -seek evidence of this.
• Paperwork must be obtained: a proper invoice, waste transfer note of receipt, including a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier’s contact details.