Fly-tipper could be prosecuted for wood pile at Dereham allotments

Legal action may be taken against a fly-tipper who dumped rubbish at allotments in Dereham.

A large pile of wood was left at the allotments, off Cemetery Road, last Wednesday evening.

The rubbish has remained at the site this week while Breckland Council, which has responsibility for tackling fly-tipping, and Dereham Town Council, which owns the allotments, consider whether to pursue a prosecution.

Lynda Turner, Breckland Council's executive member for place, said: 'Fly-tipping can be a real blot on communities and cleaning it up takes taxpayers' money which could otherwise be used to benefit local people. Breckland Council is committed to tackling fly-tipping in the district and always aims to take appropriate action against those who commit this crime.'

A spokesman for Breckland Council added: 'Breckland Council is currently working with the town council to ascertain whether there is sufficient evidence to seek a prosecution of those responsible through the courts.'

Dereham Town Council clerk Tony Needham said the rubbish was being kept at the site, temporarily, to be used as evidence.

Dereham mayor Phillip Duigan said: 'This is really anti-social behaviour from someone who thought they would save themselves a few quid and leave the mess for the council tax payers to clear up.

'They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it.'

Michael Ward, 75, who has had an allotment in Dereham since 1992, said three people witnessed the fly-tipping.

He said: 'I hope they do take action because, otherwise, it is the tax payers who pick up the cost and it sends out the message that people will get away with it.'

People can report instances of fly-tipping at www.breckland.gov.uk/flytip