A COUNCIL managed to track down and fine a flytipper who left bags of rubbish by a dog bin.

Rochford District Council issued a £75 fixed penalty notice to the culprit after they spotted piles of rubbish in Great Wakering.

The notice was issued after bags, containing household items including an old coffee maker, were left in Little Wakering Hall Lane.

Officers carried out some investigation work, before issuing the notice to the person identified as being responsible.

Councillor Dave Sperring, responsible for environment, said: “I hope that this demonstrates that the council really does have ‘teeth’ when it comes to tracking down flytippers and issuing them with fines.

“We simply will not tolerate flytipping in our district, as we want it to continue to be a pleasant place to live and work.”

Flytipping is a serious criminal offence for which you can be prosecuted.

The courts have various powers available to them to tackle flytipping, including imprisonment, substantial fines of up to £50,000, orders to pay costs and an order to deprive rights to a vehicle used to commit the offence.

Householders should ensure that all their waste is disposed of via their wheeled bins, the recycling banks around the district, the recycling centres for household waste, or the council’s chargeable bulky waste collection.

You can report flytipping at http://www.rochford.gov.uk/flytipping.