Star comment: We can all help to stop fly-tip crime
Fly-tipping is a scourge to communities everywhere and is particularly galling when it affects an area kept neat and tidy by volunteers who look after their local park.
The Friends of Springfield Park and local councillors are upset that despite repeated requests rubbish dumped at the rear of Usmere Road has not been cleared.
Meanwhile officials with The Community Housing Group have issued warnings as they have been faced with the need for contractors to be called in to clear the site.
Specialist equipment has been called for because the site is on a steep bank.
Whoever has caused the problem needs to think again before adding to the problem.
Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence and can result in a fine of up to £50,000 or even imprisonment.
The site in Kidderminster is among many across the country being blighted by fly-tipping.
Many people will have seen waste dumped in laybys and along country lanes and question the mindset of those involved.
In some areas it is far worse with large amounts of trade waste being dumped and marring the landscape.
Now farmers, landowners, big and small business, and members of the public are being asked to be more vigilant to the dumping of rubbish.
Over the last 12 months the Environment Agency across the West Midlands has seen an increase of illegally dumped waste on public and private land.
The Agency is determined to make life hard for criminals by disrupting, and stopping, the criminal element backed up by the threat of tough enforcement action and prosecution.
Everybody has a part to play to help solve the waste crime problem and make sure it is managed responsibly.
At the end of the day dumped waste results in our living environment being marred and a clear-up charge at the end of the day.
Waste stored inappropriately can also create issues for neighbours through smells and pests.
It can also have a detrimental effect on the environment and impact on rivers and streams.
Many will argue that it is time littering, the dumping of waste and anything that tarnishes where we live, work and play is brought to a halt.
Anyone suspecting illegal waste activities are taking place in their neighbourhood is being asked to avoid approaching the culprits.
People can report such activities anonymously via the www.crimestoppers-uk.org website or by calling 0800 555 111 or the Environment Agency Incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
