A BID to crack down on the dumping of rubbish in Stockton has proved successful.

Stockton Borough Council's Care For Your Area team carried out the operation as part of work on the local arson reduction panel.

They identified a number of areas where people were continuing to place refuse for collection on the wrong day, or leaving wheeled bins out continuously despite warnings.

Areas that were identified included Hampton Road, Sydenham Road, Oxbridge Lane, Wren Street, Norfolk Street, Suffolk Street, Eton Road, Osbourne Road, Kensington Road, Marlborough Road and Windsor Road.

Graeme Small, enforcement co-ordinator for the council's community protection team, said: "Leaving refuse and wheeled bins out on days when it is not due to be collected presents both a fire risk from arsonists, as well as a health hazard by attracting vermin."

The team collected evidence at each location and the enforcement section handed out 25 £50 fixed penalty fines for leaving refuse out on a non-collection day.

They also issued a further 18 £50 fixed penalty fines for leaving wheeled bins out on a non-collection day.

One £50 fixed penalty fine was imposed for depositing waste roof felt from a roof repair.

All the refuse was removed by members of the Care For Your Area Team.

Doug Carhart, head of security services at the council, said: "This practice detracts from the quality of life for the residents and the council will continue to enforce the law on this matter, and will come down hard on all offenders to make the borough a safer, cleaner place to live."