RESIDENTS are being warned not to use the coronavirus crisis as an excuse to dump their household waste illegally.

The council's advice follows a "marked increase in reports of fly-tipping across the borough" since the nation went into lockdown and residents are increasingly having clear outs or doing DIY while in lockdown.

However, while acknowledging the difficulties residents are facing managing their waste at this time, the council has warned it will continue to take a tough line on incidents of fly-tipping and keep on investigating all reports with a view to prosecuting those responsible.

A spokesperson for the authority said: "Residents are urged to dispose of their waste responsibly through the regular kerbside collections - or hold onto it until COVID-19 passes.

"Fly-tipping will never be tolerated, but even less so at this time when all available resources are concentrated on keeping essential services going."

The council's advice if you see someone fly tipping is, as follows: 

  • Take vehicle registration details; note the date, time, location and your view of the incident (e.g clear view, distance from you).
  • Take a description of what waste you have seen being dumped
  • Take a description of the people dumping the waste
  • If you can do safely, use a camera phone or camera, don’t approach anyone who you see fly tipping

To report incidents of fly-tipping, visit wirral.gov.uk/flytipping