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Scourge of the fly-tippers: It's really criminal
MEET Calderdale's litter detective. David Dunbar, environmental health officer at Calderdale Council, hunts down the people who blight the district by fly-tipping.
Whether it is searching through rubbish to find a clue, or patrolling with the police and stopping vehicles he suspects may be dumping rubbish, he is on the case.
"The Government take this issue very seriously and Calderdale Council is taking it very seriously. We will be taking a zero-tolerance policy," he said.
When the council receives reports of fly-tipping, it is David's job to investigate.
Even a discarded piece of paperwork can prove a lead for David.
And those caught fly-tipping will not get off lightly.
Prosecuted offenders face fines of up to 50,000 and five years in prison.
David is part of a team at the environmental health department dedicated to tackling fly-tipping and littering.
He has been working in the field for seven years and is passionate about his job.
"Fly-tipping is disgusting., I don't understand why people do it," he said.
"My job is to keep the area clean. Calderdale is beautiful and people just go out and spoil it."
Litter can be dumped by businesses or householders – but in both circumstances it is a crime.
"Everybody has a duty of care to dispose of their waste safely," said David.
There are certain places that become hotspots for flytipping, to where David and his team are continually called.
He said if people see litter there, they think it is an acceptable place to dump rubbish, and a fly-tipping circle starts.
And what gets dumped ranges from mattresses, tyres and vehicle parts to chemical drums and animal carcasses.
Last year, most of the rubbish dumped was household waste, followed by domestic black bin bags, then white goods. In total, there were 456 call outs for the environmental health team.
David said it was up to Calderdale residents to help keep the district clean by reporting fly-tipping.
The sooner his team know about a problem, the sooner they can start investigating and finding the offender.
To report any incidents of fly-tipping call Calderdale Council on 01422 392373.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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