FLY tippers will be hit hard in a police crackdown after council chiefs admitted almost 2,000 fly tips in the last 12 months have left them facing a "growing issue".

Bromsgrove District Council have said the figure has put a huge burden on their resources, with police warning offenders they will pay the price when caught.

Yet with many of the cases taking place in rural areas, it is difficult for fly-tippers to be caught in the act, leading to an appeal to the public for help

A council spokesman said: "Fly tipping is a growing issue for Bromsgrove District Council, with nearly 2,000 fly tips in the last 12 months, ranging in size from a single black bag through to entire truck loads.

"This puts a huge burden on our resources at a time when local authorities are facing increasing financial pressure.

"All information that might support a prosecution is investigated, and we work closely with the police and Environment Agency to identify and prosecute those responsible, but due to the nature of fly tipping in our quiet rural areas, it is difficult to catch people in the act.

"We would welcome anything that helps deter those responsible, and will continue to support education as well as enforcement to tackle this problem through all the means available to us."

West Mercia Police, who said the issue is a "blight on our countryside", have asked residents to follow a series of steps to help report any fly tips.

These include noting the location and quantity of the rubbish, dates and times, the number of people involved – including descriptions – and what they were doing.

Police are also asking the community to provide details of vehicles involved as the more information provided will help officers to find and prosecute those involved.

A spokesman said: "Fly tipping is an offence and a blight on our countryside.

"We are working with Bromsgrove District Council Enforcement officers to stop this anti-social-behaviour. Police will look to convict offenders who commit this crime.

"When you report a fly tip, the more information you can give the council the better they will be able to take enforcement action.

"Never touch waste or disturb the site of an incident in any way. It may be dangerous, and there may be evidence that could help us prosecute the culprits."

To report a fly tip, visit bromsgrove.gov.uk.