PEOPLE who dump their rubbish during the coronavirus pandemic are being warned they will be fined £400.

Several incidents of fly-tipping have been reported across Sandwell over the past week.

The council has suspended green bin collections and tips have closed which has led to an increase in rubbish being dumped illegally.

Leader of Sandwell Council Councillor Yvonne Davies pleaded with people not to fly-tip when the council is working so hard to provide services at such a difficult time.

She said: “I’m directly appealing to everyone in Sandwell to please help us to stop this.

“Fly-tipping is totally unacceptable – it’s something we don’t need to be dealing with, especially at a time like this when the council is pouring all of its resources into running essential services and supporting the most vulnerable people in society.”

Councillor Davies added: “Our staff will investigate every single fly-tipping incident reported to us and we will be issuing £400 fines to anyone who is found to be responsible for fly-tipping.

“Anyone with extra rubbish needs to please store it until the restrictions on movement are lifted and our tip can re-open and our bin collections return to normal. Please work with us on this.

“I’m also concerned by the number of people dropping gloves, masks and tissues. Please – don’t drop this rubbish.

“We cannot afford for our streets to become dumping grounds while we are dealing with a crisis.

“Anyone who is caught dumping rubbish will feel the full force of the law.”

People can report fly-tipping at www.sandwell.gov.uk/flytipping

Sandwell Council has been issuing £400 fines for fly-tipping since May 2017.

As well as individuals dumping rubbish, people who pay unlicensed waste carriers – often “man with a van” types who advertise on social media – can also be fined.

Reputable licensed waste carriers provide customers with receipts and other relevant paperwork for their services, giving them proof they have used an authorised company.

Residents are also urged not to use door-to-door callers to dispose of their waste.