Sefton Council says teams are removing tonnes of waste each week from alleyways and streets. Enforcement officers are continuing investigations as residents report ongoing problems with illegal dumping.
For residents in parts of Bootle and Litherland, the sight of discarded sofas, mattresses, televisions, and other household items in rear alleyways has become a familiar frustration. In response, Sefton Council has deployed dedicated street cleansing teams to combat this significant and persistent issue of illegal dumping. During a recent operation alongside these teams, a wide range of abandoned items was discovered, including children's toys, electrical goods, and even a commercial ice cream freezer, all found in just a handful of locations.
The scale of the problem is substantial. According to the Sefton Council street cleansing service, teams are responsible for clearing approximately 15 to 20 tons of rubbish across the borough every week. During one recent week, 11 tons of waste were removed from council-owned alleyways alone. Marcus Burke, Sefton’s operation manager for street cleansing, emphasized that enforcement is a critical component of their strategy to address what he characterizes as an “epidemic of fly-tipping.” He noted the recurring nature of the problem, where crews often clear an alleyway only to find it filled with rubbish again within hours, leaving both workers and residents frustrated.
Environmental enforcement officer Andy Haen explained that investigations often begin by searching the dumped waste for evidence, such as letters, packaging, or address labels, which can help officers identify those responsible and pursue appropriate action. The council reports that it implemented its rear-entry alleyway clearance program in July 2023. Since that time, more than 580 tons of rubbish have been removed from these locations as part of the ongoing effort to maintain cleaner, safer communities.
