FLY-TIPPERS have been accused of a “new level of stupidity” after it emerged some are tying bags of rubbish to telegraph poles.

Middlesbrough Borough Council said it had been called to a number of incidents in which dumping bags were attached to telegraph poles by a rope.

When the offenders then drive off the bag falls off their vehicle and is left behind.

The latest incident happened in an alley off Barker Road in Linthorpe.

The council said it was leaving an unsightly mess and the rope itself when taut could be a danger to unsuspecting children, pedestrians and vehicles.

Councillor Denise Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for environment, said: “Fly-tipping is a blight and those who commit these offences should both be ashamed of their actions and know that we will always investigate and take action where possible.

“This new act we have seen brings these people to a whole new level of stupidity.

“This takes what we consider to be an environmental issue into a potentially very serious public safety issue.

“We cannot condemn strongly enough these actions and would urge anyone who witnesses someone doing this to report it to us.

“We would also ask the public be vigilant when either walking or driving past dumped items.”