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Bin Brother: Council Encourages Residents To Grass Up Neighbours Who Put Out Too Many Rubbish Bags

Neighbours are being urged to spy on each other by a council who wants residents to grass up anyone putting out too many bin bags.

Jobsworths at Northampton Borough Council have set up a special hotline just so people can tell them if they are putting out more than two green bags of household rubbish a week.

The bag limit was introduced in 2013 but bin men in the area said that some residents were going over the limit and the Tory-led authority is having a major crackdown.

And it’s not just the amount of bags either - the council want to know if people are putting out rubbish in the wrong colour bags, as well.

Anyone caught breaking the strict rules will have to pay an £80 fine or face court action if they don’t pay up on time.

Local residents accused their authority of using “draconian” measures and making them feel like they are living in a “Stasi state”.

Pensioner Emily Roberts, 72, said: “It seems ridiculous we can be fined if some nosy neighbour reports us for an honest mistake.

"It is hard enough restricting a weeks rubbish to just two bin liners without worrying that I might get fined for going over the limit.

"Its like living in a Stasi state.

"The council are going to paying people to answer these phone lines as well, which is a complete waste of taxpayers cash.”

Builder Carl Harlow, 34, added: “I can’t believe they are enforcing this strict rule this way.

"All it will do is encourage busy-body curtain twitchers to start spying on one another. It’s like a Stalinist regime.

"Sometimes people put too much rubbish out if they have a busier week but you won’t catch me calling a hotline if someone puts out three bins instead of two.

"If someone is taking the mick putting out 10 then they should have a word but just the odd extra one or two shouldn’t lead to such draconian measures.”

However, some people are supporting the council’s decision.

Teacher Geoff Tomkins, 46, said: "I feel sorry for them because people moan when the streets are covering in rubbish.

"It doesn’t matter what they do, people will moan. If eagle-eye neighbours can help them stop people flaunting the rules that are in place then I am all for it.”

The council describe the new number as a “dedicated hotline to help households on sack collections report any issues concerning neighbours who are not complying with Northampton’s two green sack policy.”

Councillor Mary Markham, leader of Northampton Borough Council, blamed the Government’s policy of local authorities having to recycle 50% of their wastee.

She said: ”More has got to be done, and that includes enforcing the two green sack policy.

“We are doing all we can to help people comply with the policy, but communities need to help us deal with those householders who aren’t complying.

"The hotline has been set up to provide people with a direct line to report problems in their neighbourhoods…

"A quick call is all that is needed and we will take it from there.”

A spokesperson for Northampton Borough Council added: “Whilst most households are complying with the policy, there are some that are not.

"Extra crews are being sent to clear the streets of uncollected sacks and action is being taken to educate and warn offenders that they run the risk of being fined if they do not comply with the two green sack policy.

"Supplies of green sacks are also being given to households that have run out so that they can present their rubbish correctly.”

Pics: NTI Media