FLYTIPPERS who dump waste across County Durham are being targeted as part of a crackdown by a multi-agency team.

The Operation Stop It group, which includes Durham County Council, is carrying out stop and check exercises to make sure vehicles are licensed to carry waste.

During January the team investigated 596 flytipping incidents and 17 CCTV cameras were deployed at known dumping hotspots.

Operation Stop It also saw 11 flytipping cases sent for prosecution and 11 duty of care letters were sent to people telling them to dispose of waste properly.

Ian Hoult, the council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “We’re building on the momentum of our campaign to stamp out flytipping.

“The number of people prosecuted as a result is testament to these efforts.

“We work closely with groups like Durham Police to investigate every flytipping report to determine whether the waste can be traced back to the owner.

“The use of extra CCTV cameras at flytipping hotspots throughout the county is also providing robust evidence to use when prosecuting offenders.

“When it comes to environmental offences like flytipping our message is clear – we will not tolerate it.

“Anyone who commits waste crime can expect to be fined or even hauled before the courts.”

County council staff also issued 89 fixed penalty notices for littering, six for dog fouling, seven for untidy gardens and one for flytipping.

It also gave out 57 community protection warnings and ten community protection notices for homes with untidy gardens or yards.

Wardens removed 141 stray dogs while there were 25 reports of anti-social behaviour along with 96 seizures of alcohol from underage children.