Resident fined £600 after firm fly-tipped rubbish

A household in Leicestershire has been fined £600 after a waste disposal firm that was hired to clear rubbish from the property fly-tipped the waste.

Charnwood Borough Council said the resident paid £150 for the service but failed to check whether the operator was a legitimate, registered waste carrier.

The rubbish, which included a television, laptop, metal wiring and a rug, was later found dumped in Ridgemere Lane on the outskirts of Queniborough.

After it was reported to the borough council, officers found evidence linking the waste to the householder, who was subsequently issued with a fixed penalty notice.

The borough council said it was making inquiries to identify and speak to the waste company responsible.

Beverley Gray, lead member for climate action and net-zero, said: "Fly-tipping damages our communities, spoils local areas and creates unnecessary costs for taxpayers.

"No-one wants to think that the individual or business they have paid to take away an old sofa, mattress or pile of household rubbish could simply dump it somewhere else in their community.

"But rogue waste traders are making money from doing exactly that - leaving councils and local residents to deal with the consequences."

The council advised people to check the legitimacy of the waste carrier before paying them and to keep a record of the transaction.

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.