THE Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has co-ordinated a meeting with a council and police force in a bid to tackle fly-tipping in the region.

The CLA held a meeting with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Cleveland Police and Cleveland's Police and Crime Commissioner's office on September 10, to see what could be done to reduce the number of cases off illegal waste dumping.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, Simon Clarke's office and Neil Colver from Skelton and Gilling Estate attended.

As part of the meeting, Libby Bateman of the CLA, said: “The estimated average cost to rural businesses of this anti-social behaviour is around a £1,000 per incident and is a continuing and damaging blight on our countryside. In addition, landowners are liable for any waste that is fly-tipped on their land and can be prosecuted if they do not clear it away, often at considerable cost to their business."

Following the meeting, planned actions included a joint education campaign between other Teesside boroughs, a pilot scheme to investigate waste on private land, police to look into how reports of fly-tipping are handled by 101 operators and greater engagement.

Mr Clarke said: “Fly-tipping is an issue which frustrates many of my constituents and I am hopeful that the coordinated approach to tackling environmental criminals discussed at the meeting will help to protect our landscape and reduce the number of incidents where law-abiding residents are left with the burden of clearing up after fly-tippers.”