IN the wake of increased concern about industrial scale fly-tipping using lorry trailers, Thurrock Council's leader has pledged the authority will get tough on any offenders it can track down.

Earlier this week Thurrock Nub News reported on a lorry fire and the worries of residents in Aveley about the criminal practice.

Cllr Rob Gledhill has responded by saying: "We take the blight of fly-tipping very seriously and we will not tolerate this behaviour in Thurrock.

"We are aware of the types of large scale fly-tipping caused by organised criminals, including trailers being loaded with waste and dumped. The council is working with the Environmental Agency in our efforts to bring these criminals before a judge in a criminal court. This includes investigating a range of options which may assist with prevention in this area.

"Our teams continue to challenge those who blight our borough with illegal fly-tipping and we are in the process of prosecuting an individual for fly-tipping in a trailer within the borough. We value any information provided by our residents to tackle this disgusting behaviour."

To report fly-tipping on the Thurrock Council website, visit: thurrock.gov.uk/fly-tipping.