A QUICK-thinking Middlesbrough resident helped catch a fly-tipper who brazenly dumped a fridge freezer in an alleyway.

The Linthorpe resident saw a flat back truck reverse into an alley near his home before the two occupants jumped out and pulled a large fridge-freezer onto the ground.

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They then jumped back in the van and sped off – but not before the resident got hold of his phone and managed to take a photograph of the offence.

The man passed his evidence onto Linthorpe ward councillor Philippa Storey who relayed it to Middlesbrough Council’s environmental enforcement officers.

An investigation was then carried out and the suspect was tracked down and invited for an interview.

The Northern Echo: Linthorpe resident saw a flat back truck reverse into an alley near his home before the two occupants jumped out and pulled a large fridge-freezer onto the groundLinthorpe resident saw a flat back truck reverse into an alley near his home before the two occupants jumped out and pulled a large fridge-freezer onto the ground

The County Durham man accepted responsibility for the fly-tipping of the fridge and was fined £400 which he has paid in full.

Afterwards the resident said: "Fly tipping is a sad reality for many living near an alley in Linthorpe.

"I hope this excellent result demonstrates it's not a reality Linthorpe residents must live with and through swift action and strong collaboration with our local councillors we can all do our part to deter those responsible.”

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Cllr Storey said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to the environment enforcement team for their work and I’d like to say thank you to the resident for forwarding on his  footage.

“It is disgusting that fly tipping is increasing and it is vital that we work together to catch these fly tippers and put a stop to the rubbish being dumped all over our town.”

Cllr Stephen Hill, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for culture and communities, said: “I would like to thank the resident for his civic mindedness and I hope his quick thinking and actions encourage other people to ‘see something, say something’.

"I’d also like to thank the enforcement team for their swift actions.”

 

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