THURROCK Council are asking for residents help in keeping the borough clean and catching enviro-criminals.

The mile-long stretch of rubbish discarded at Cory’s Wharf in Purfleet made national headlines, and recently there has been a focus on the state of the roadside on the A13.

Councillor Phil Smith, in charge of public protection, said he wants residents to help by being the eyes and ears in the borough, and reporting any foul play.

He said: “We do our best to clear up after those who leave a mess on our streets and our land, but what we want to do is prosecute those at fault – those people who fly-tip, those who let their dogs foul the footpath and green spaces.

“Everyone knows councils are having to work with less money these days and targeting those who cause the mess may not only reduce the problem, but we could also seek financial redress through the courts too.”

Councillor Smith added: “I want to make it perfectly clear, I do not want responsible members of the public getting into trouble or putting themselves at risk in any way, but we would appreciate it if residents were our eyes and ears, giving us the information we need to target environmental crime in the borough.”

“If people see vehicles used for fly-tipping and can obtain its registration number and give a date, a time and a location of the event, this would really help, though they should never approach those responsible, just watch from a distance if it is safe to do so.

“If they can get details of those individuals from any particular property that they see fly-tipping - for example in an alleyway or rear access - then any details passed on can be investigated.

“And people who see irresponsible dog owners allowing their pet to foul in the street or open space without clearing it up can also report it. Any details of those responsible - addresses or vehicles they may use for example - can be very helpful to investigating officers.”

All information passed on to investigating officers is kept confidential and at no time will details of those passing on information be disclosed to those responsible.

Reports can be made to the council on their website, by calling 01375 652572 or 652004, or through its mobile app Report It.