Two rubbish heaps – one of which is contaminated with asbestos – have been dumped in Great Bromley.
Tendring District Council teams were called to Park Road and Mary Lane North in Great Bromley last week to clean up two serious incidents of fly-tipping.
Bosses said the small village, which is near Colchester, has been “blighted” by the crimes.
General waste and a significant amount of asbestos was discovered in the first pile in Park Road last Tuesday.
Specialist teams are to be brought in to tackle it and the council must fork out more than £3,000 to clear it away.
No trace of asbestos was found in the second pile – which was mainly made up of rubble – but it blocked one carriageway of Mary Lane North causing disruption to traffic for several hours.
A hit team worked for most of the day to shovel the rubbish off the road and clear the carriageway.
Although the council workers checked through the two tips, there was no evidence available to suggest where they may have come from.
Chiefs are now urging anyone living in the area who may have seen who dumped the rubbish to come forward with information.
The council’s cabinet member for environment, Michael Talbot, said: “If we can find out who was responsible for these incidents – and prove it – we will not hesitate to prosecute them,” he said.
“If anyone saw anything suspicious or actually saw the waste being dumped, or may know where it has come from, please contact us immediately.”
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months in prison if convicted in court.
The offence can attract an unlimited fine and up to five years in prison if convicted in a crown court.
Fixed penalty notices between £150 and £400 can also be imposed.
Vehicles and their contents may also be seized because of suspected involvement in fly-tipping.
Anyone who can help should call the council’s helpline on 01255 686768.
Alternatively, email recycle@tendringdc.gov.uk or report it online
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