Fly tipping fires cause for Slough alarm
People 1st (Slough) has raised strong concerns over the amount of fly tipping in certain areas of Slough as the dumped rubbish is being used by arsonists to create fires.
The unknown Slough residents dumping their unwanted waste, such as sofas and chairs, are giving arsonists opportunities to wreak havoc and potentially cause serious harm to residents nearby.
People 1st (Slough) is also concerned for the welfare of its tenants and would like to ask for their cooperation in helping to combat this very serious matter.
Not only is it a problem for residents and People 1st staff, but for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service who have to attend the scene.
People 1st (Slough) has put together an action plan to target the number of local concerns including waste disposal and deliberate fire setting.
A local resident meeting has been arranged with stakeholders and partners; Interserve, environmental services and community safety officers from Slough Borough Council, neighbourhood policing teams, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and tenants.
The meeting will focus on deterring anti-social acts, community reassurance and confidential reporting.
There will also be a week of action planned with partners commencing on 8th October to reaffirm the dangers of not keeping communal areas clear. If any tenant is found fly tipping, which is an illegal offence, they may find themselves evicted, given a fixed penalty notice and/or given a criminal record.
Mario Muir, estate services manager for People 1st (Slough), said: "Fly tipping is a real two-fold problem. Not only is it unsightly and damaging to the wider local community, it’s also the type of crime that communities can take a tough stance against.
"People 1st (Slough) is committed in tackling this anti-social and dangerous behaviour, along with our partners and residents.
"Anyone caught fly tipping or setting fire to items that have been dumped will be dealt with according to the law. It is not acceptable and everyone needs to be vigilant in keeping an eye out for either perpetrator."
Matt Bond, arson and anti-social behaviour co-ordinator at Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Leaving furniture and rubbish lying around can be a real fire risk, as it provides an easy target for arsonists.
"The good news is that by working together to keep communal areas clear and reporting fly tipping, residents can easily reduce the risk.
"Working in partnership with People 1st is part of our ongoing commitment to creating safer communities and driving down deliberate fires."
Commissioner for public protection, John Edwards, said: "As part of our drive to keep Slough a safe and pleasant place to live you can be sure that we will take firm action against fly-tippers. Local residents have made it quite clear that they are fed up with this kind of nuisance and have no time for people who dump waste illegally.
"We will be sitting down with local residents and all the relevant agencies so that we can all work together to tackle this problem.
"This kind of partnership approach has been very successful in dealing with other anti-social behaviour issues in the past."
Slough Borough Council