Sefton staff verbally abused while combatting flytipping issue

Inconsiderate residents in the Smollet Street area of Bootle have dumped piles of rubbish in back alleyways, just hours before officers from Sefton Council were verbally abused for raising the issue of rubbish responsibilities.

Both the local authority’s Cleansing and Environmental Enforcement Officers, as well as colleagues from Neighbourhoods, attended a rear gated alleyway in Smollet Street, Bootle on Monday, September 14 following complaints over alleged flytipping.

Officers attended and removed tonnes of waste from the area, as well as collecting vital evidence to identify those responsible for the dumping of rubbish.

However just a matter of hours later, officers discovered a mattress and television had been dumped in the secure alleyway.

Furthermore when residents in the area were offered advice on their rubbish responsibilities and the laws around flytipping, officers were met in a number of instances with verbal abuse.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulation and Compliance, said: “Our officers should not have to suffer any form of abuse while carrying out their work, especially when they are working hard to support those residents with a particular issue.

“Smollet Street and the surrounding area is a flytipping hotspot and this is solely down to a small number of inconsiderate and irresponsible residents who we are fully committed to fining once evidence has been processed.

“Thousands of pounds has been so far spent in the Linacre Ward in clearing excess waste and our Communities teams have repeatedly spoken to residents in the area about their rubbish responsibilities so there can be no excuse.

“This area is secured via key entry gates and the only people who have access to that area are the residents themselves.

“Flytipping carries a £400 fixed penalty notice and failure to pay will land you in court. Sefton Council will not hesitate to issue a fine if we catch people doing it.”

If any residents have any concerns regarding flytipping or wish to report an offence, they should contact us on 0345 140 0845 or report it via our website www.sefton.gov.uk.