FLY-TIPPING hotspots and repeat offenders will be targeted following a rise in incidents over the past year, Cheshire East Council has confirmed.

CEC’s cabinet will discuss how to tackle the increasing problem at their next full meeting on September 13.

Cllr Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for communities and health, called fly-tipping and littering ‘unacceptable behaviour’.

He said: “The council is responding to a rise in reported cases during the last year and is looking at a range of measures including a 12-month pilot in Crewe where repeat offenders and hot spots will be targeted.”

He revealed the council will try to work with the community to encourage them to share information as part in a ‘fly-tipping amnesty’.

Two community enforcement officers have also been employed by the council and are due to start in September. They will focus on fly-tipping in Crewe for the next 12 months.

Cllr Bates said: “The council will employ a specialist enforcement company to provide additional capacity and will work to encourage residents to share information through a ‘fly-tipping amnesty’.

“A ‘fly-tipping amnesty’ is part of the recommended actions as we want people to feel that they can let us know about problem areas without fear of recriminations and we also want people to get in touch where they feel they have no other options for dealing with their waste.

“We are hoping to get a whole community approach where everyone does their bit to help look after their own street and local areas backed up with council support and enforcement action where necessary.”

Earlier this month Labour councillors called on CEC to take tougher actions on fly-tippers, including looking at new legislation allowing councils to issue on-the-spot fines of up to £400.

Cllr Brian Roberts, CEC ward member for Crewe West, said currently there is a ‘total lack of any enforcement’ in the borough.

He said: “In the 12 months ending March 31, 2016, the ‘reported only’ incidents of fly-tipping in Cheshire East rose from approximately 140 per month to over 320 per month.

“We cannot just keep ticking the weeks off the calendar until the outsourced systems is fully and actively implemented.

“I know the wheels of local government move slowly but these wheels have seized up.”