COUNCILLORS in the Bradford Council ward with the most complaints about dumped rubbish say they are already campaigning for residents to take pride in keeping the area clean.

As revealed in yesterday's Telegraph & Argus, 345 calls were made to the Council's street cleansing department relating to issues in Bradford Moor in 2014/15, a 59 per cent rise from 217 the previous year.

The figure was the highest anywhere across the district, and the ward has also attracted the most calls so far this year in the four months from April to July, with 131.

CALLS MADE TO SHAME BRADFORD'S LITTER LOUTS INTO CLEARING UP

Overall, Council cleansing teams were alerted to 4,047 incidents last year, up from 3,768 in 2013/14 - an increase of 7.4 per cent.

In Bradford East, there was a 17 per cent increase from 1,042 calls to 1,215, with street cleansing teams dealing with issues such as fly-tipping, littering, graffiti, fly-posting, and detritus.

The alarming figures prompted some politicians to call for a campaign to shame residents into taking responsibility for their actions.

Councillor Mohammed Shafiq (Lab, Bradford Moor) said people had spoken to him about cleanliness issues within the ward, including a growing problem of dog-fouling in local parks and play areas.

"I have long been campaigning to keep the ward safer, cleaner, and greener," he said.

"I raise the issue of fly-tipping at every Council and community meeting I attend.

"It is illegal, and we need a system where anyone who sees people dumping rubbish can pass on as many details as possible.

"We are restricted with resources, but the money spent on cleaning the streets is money taken from other budgets.

"It could be spent on child protection work, supporting our most vulnerable children and families.

"There are a number of areas in the ward that are hotspots for littering and fly-tipping.

"We need to be proud of where we live and take pride in keeping our community clean and tidy.

"Large-scale fly-tipping is on the up, and it is just not acceptable for people to blight our communities with this rubbish.

"Most residents could make a five-minute journey to the recycling centre on Bowling Back Lane to dispose of any rubbish, and the Council will collect up to five bulky items for £15, which is a reasonable service."

Cllr Shafiq said some of the worst areas in the ward affected by fly-tipping included Acton Street, Wensleydale Road, and Lower Rushton Road.

Councillor Faisal Khan (Independent, Bradford Moor), said he would be looking to re-start the 'Proud of BD3' campaign, which was first established two years ago to encourage schools and local young people to take pride in their communities.

"Any littering or fly-tipping is unacceptable, full-stop," he said.

"It has been a long-standing problem here, especially on unadopted roads.

"To achieve a long-term solution, we need to educate the younger generation and get them in the habit of making a conscious effort to keep these areas tidy."

Councillor Zafar Iqbal (Lab, Bradford Moor) was unable to respond to a request by the T&A for a comment yesterday.