MAYOR Andy Preston has warned that ‘actions have consequences’ after two fly-tipping incidents in the centre of Middlesbrough.

Both incidents were investigated with two perpetrators having to pay fines for the behaviour which Middlesbrough council says blights communities.

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The incidents reportedly happened in Crescent Road of Gresham and the council has stressed the negative impact it can have on residents lives.

Middlesbrough Council’s recently formed “Environmental Flying Squad” received a tip off that waste was being left between Harford Street and Costa Street.

Officers soon attended the scene and caught the offenders red-handed dumping waste in the alley.

In the second incident, a report was made to the team of dumped wooden kitchen units near the alley gates between Harford and Essex Street.

Following a review of CCTV and door-to-door enquiries the offender was identified.

In both instances a fixed penalty notice of £400 was issued and subsequently paid by the fly-tippers.

Fly-tipping is a criminal offence which carries a fine of up to £50,000 (unlimited if the case goes to the Crown Court), or an offender can even be sent to prison if they do not pay the Fixed Penalty Notice.

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Mr Preston said: "This type of behaviour is absolutely disgusting and the people that will do it need to know they won't get away with it.

"We launched the Environmental Flying Squad earlier this year to basically get in the faces of these bad people who have no care or thought for anyone else.

"Already we are seeing rapid results and these two incidents and the swift fines dished out should act as a warning to others."

Councillor Barrie Cooper, Middlesbrough Council's executive member for environment, finance and governance, said: "I'd like to thank the flying squad team, the CCTV operators and the public who have all pulled together really quickly and made sure the perpetrators in these cases have been caught and fined.

"We hope the message this sends is loud and clear, we won't tolerate fly-tipping and we will stop it."

Meanwhile in Hartlepool, an education campaign is planned as part of plans to clampdown on fly-tipping, littering and dog fouling in Hartlepool, allowing council resources to be focused elsewhere in the town.

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