"If there’s a lot of rubbish there, people will come and add to it"

An investigation is underway after an alleged fly-tipper was ‘caught in the act’ at a problem spot on the fringes of the city centre.

The man can be seen in photos appearing to unloading a yellow bag from his car on Viaduct Street at dusk last week (July 3). A witness took photos and reported the incident alleged he was ‘adding to an existing fly tip that had been there for weeks’.

“There was a sofa and a toilet there,” he added. “Biffa came and cleaned it. If there’s a lot of rubbish there, people will come and add to it. If they kept the street clean people would not dump on it.”

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Councillor Lee-ann Igbon, Manchester's executive member for 'vibrant neighbourhoods', has confirmed an investigation is underway.

"Fly-tipping is an inexcusable crime that causes environmental damage, is a stain on our communities and an insult to local people who should not have to live in other people's waste,” she said in a statement.

"Our Environmental Crimes Team have acted quickly on this recent incident and an investigation is now underway. And we thank [the witness] for providing the photo evidence that our officers are already acting on. We would urge anyone who witnesses fly-tipping in their communities to report it to us immediately. We will do everything we can to investigate and bring those responsible to justice."

Last year, the government raised the maximum amount those caught fly-tipping could be fined. It rose from £400 to £1,000.

You can report fly tipping to Manchester Council online here.