"Please help us": Four things you can do to ease pressure on emergency services this Bonfire Night

People in Stockton-on-Tees are being urged to be extra careful about how they dispose of their waste in the run up to Bonfire Night.

Illegal bonfires have cost the Borough's economy an estimated £10million over the last five years, fire chiefs revealed at a recent scrutiny review into the problem.

The review, carried out by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Crime and Disorder Select Committee, also highlighted the dangers to people's safety and property.

Now, the Council is urging local people to dispose of their waste responsibly to help ease pressure on the emergency services this year.

Here are four ways you can help.

1. Report any problems early

Prevention is always better than cure, so if you come across fly-tipping or waste being built up in a lane, square, grassed area or in someone's garden, please report it.

Contact the Council's Civic Enforcement Service on 01642 528439 or via email civic.enforcement@stockton.gov.uk.

2. Book a bulky waste collection

If you have a sofa or chair or a fridge or a freezer you need to get rid of, it's really easy to book a bulky waste collection.

You can arrange for the removal of up to six bulky waste items from your home address for a charge of £20, or the removal of up to 12 items for a charge of £40.

To arrange a bulky waste collection visit the bulky waste page of the Council's website.

3. Book a slot at the tip

You can take your waste to the Household Waste Recycling Centre on Haverton Hill Road.

To book a slot visit the Household Waste Recycling Centre page of the Council's website.

4. Arrange for a waste carrier to take your waste away (but make sure they are registered)

If you hire someone else to take your waste away for you and they dump it then you could be prosecuted for fly-tipping.

Always ask to see their waste carrier licence and make a note of their waste carrier number. Make sure you get a waste transfer note too.

The note needs to be signed by both you and the person taking the waste and record enough information about the waste for it to be handled safely and legally.

You can check if someone has a waste carrying licence by visiting the Register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers page of the Environment Agency website.

Councillor Norma Stephenson, the Council's Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: "Illegal bonfires have been a problem in the Borough for some years now and our teams and emergency services partners always experience very high demand in the run up to Bonfire Night and of course on the night itself.

"We don't authorise any fire setting on public land due to the obvious dangers to people's safety and property, and to local wildlife too. We will be working hard to break down any materials that are being assembled for illegal bonfires and anyone involved in bringing waste to be burnt runs the risk of a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice for fly-tipping.

"We're encouraging local people to do their bit too by being extra careful about how they dispose of their waste. We're doing letter drops in areas where this has been a particular problem in recent years and we want to work together with local people to make sure everyone enjoys Bonfire Night safely.

"What we want is for it to pass without incident - please help us keep the pressure off our already stretched emergency services."

Robin Turnbull, Area Manager, Prevention, Protection and Engagement, added: "Over 85 per cent of fires which we respond to are started deliberately, with the main targets being rubbish, grasslands and vehicles.

"We are appealing for everyone to be extra vigilant this bonfire period and report any information about deliberate fires to FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558 or by filling in a simple form on the FireStoppers website. FireStoppers is a service that enables you to pass information on to us easily and anonymously.

"Arson is totally unacceptable, and we are determined to clampdown on the minority who are intent on such anti-social behaviour. By being a FireStopper and looking out for what is happening in your area, we can all make a difference and keep our communities safe."

For Council news direct to your inbox sign up to our My Council Newsletter.