South Shields resident expresses anger over persistent flytipping

Kate Henderson, of Pollard Street, South Shields, is concerned about the amount flytipping in the area.

A woman has told of her anger and frustration over an ongoing problem of flytipping near her home.

Kate Henderson, 51, has complained to South Tyneside Council about persistent flytipping in the back lane behind her home on Pollard Street, South Shields.

She says that people have been blighting the area with rubbish for a number of years - dumping items like mattresses, furniture and food waste.

Flytipping in Pollard Street, South Shields.

Kate and her family have been reporting the various incidents to the council - who end out workers to remove the rubbish - but says she has been left frustrated at the lack of measures put in place to stop repeat offending.

She said: “We are frustrated at the lack of feedback from the council on the issue, particularly when we are reporting it.

“On a couple of occasions we have asked for feedback and update after reporting incidents but we don’t get anything back.

“This leads to us feeling frustrated.” She added: “People getting work done in their house just leave stuff out.

Kate Henderson, of Pollard Street, South Shields, is concerned about the amount flytiping in the area.

“We have had a toilet left in the back lane which kids smashed up.

“People leave food out and bins overflowing, which causes problems with seagulls. “We have had problems with flytipping on and off since 2011 and we are reporting at least one incident a month, it’s crazy.

“We shouldn’t have to be reporting it all these times.

“Perhaps if the council could enforce it more, or do something more proactive to identify the people who are doing it, it might prevent it from happening, rather then them having to be reactive to it.”

Kate said she has been reporting incidents by email and although the council does come to clean it up, she feels updates from the council would help reassure residents.

She added: “It’s the fact that it is happening and we are requesting updates but not getting anything back.”

A South Tyneside Council spokesman said: “We are grateful to members of the public who report fly tipping and would encourage them to gather as much evidence as possible to help us secure a successful prosecution.

“Unfortunately, it is not always possible or appropriate to update a complainant on the progress of a case.

“It is simply unacceptable for people to dump rubbish and blight the borough in this way.

“There are significant costs involved in clearing and investigating this type of illegal disposal of waste which places a burden on the finances of the council and ultimately the taxpayer.”

For more information and how to report flytipping, visit https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/33361/Fly-tipping or call 0191 427 7000.