CREWE’S fly tipping problem has brought about a borough-wide amnesty as Cheshire East Council looks to take a ‘no-nonsense’ stance against the issue.

Cheshire East Council, who acknowledge Crewe as its most problematic fly tip area, is hoping to gather intelligence by asking people to come forward and report all cases of fly tipping.

As well as disgruntled neighbours, it is hoped those committing the offences will seek advice without the fear of punishment.

Councillor Paul Bates, cabinet member for communities and health, said: “Enough is enough and this is Cheshire East Council’s marker in the ground.

“We won’t stand for it any longer and our proposals will hopefully present a sigh of relief for those who suffer at the hands of irresponsible neighbours who dump their rubbish wherever is convenient to them.

“The amnesty would be an opportunity for sufferers – and offenders – to step forward and tell us what is at the heart of the issue in order to bring this hazard to a swift end.

“We would ask people to confide any concerns they may have around fly-tipping that previously they’ve been too worried to report for fear of reprisals.

“The vast majority of our residents are responsible people who put their rubbish in Council bins for collection and it is unfair that they should have to tolerate the unsightly mess created by irresponsible neighbours or landlords who cannot be bothered to take unwanted furniture and mattresses to a Council depot.”

Cheshire East Council is currently recruiting two additional community enforcement officers and it is proposed that an outside environmental service will process fixed penalty notices.

From September, fines would rise from £50 to £80 for littering, fly tipping and dog fouling, but the council is looking to introduce a maximum fine of £400 for fly tipping.

Multi-lingual leaflets will be dropped through letterboxes and will be available to pick up at waste recycling centres in a bid to reach those for whom English is not their first language.

The campaign will also target schools.

Cheshire East Council served 69 fixed penalty notices for environmental crime, between April 2015 and March 2016.