ENOUGH is enough.

That was the message this week as people were urged to 'shop' fly-tippers responsible for blighting Keighley.

The plea was issued as yet another incident of dumped rubbish added to a soaring tally.

"Residents need to realise that there is no excuse for dumping rubbish on the streets of Keighley or anywhere – it is illegal as well as anti-social," said Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's executive member for Healthy People and Places.

"There are plenty of household waste recycling centres within a short drive from anywhere in the district for people to get rid of excess rubbish legitimately and they’re free to use for residents.

"We need people to help us in our battle against this menace.

"If you see fly-tipping taking place, please note down as many details as possible – including vehicle licence plate numbers – and inform the Council."

Community-spirited volunteers in one area of Keighley took it upon themselves at the weekend to remove waste that had been strewn along a road.

Long Lee residents targeted a section of Thwaites Brow Road – known as The Twines – and filled 40 sacks with vegetation and rubbish.

Items picked up included tyres and even a fridge.

The group was led by Paul Cook, who was also joined by colleagues from Melia Powell Funeral Directors.

"We wanted to clear the undergrowth of things like bags because it was a real eyesore," he said.

"People had just chucked bags of household waste."

Another Long Lee resident, who asked not to be named, condemned those responsible for the rubbish.

"Some people seem to think this road is a waste disposal site – but it is not," she said.

"I use it on a daily basis and often have the pleasure of seeing deer, foxes, herons, squirrels, jays and many more examples of wildlife in their natural habitat.

"But unfortunately it is being destroyed by the volume of waste.

"In one week alone, a chest freezer, kettle and five black bin bags of waste were dumped.

"Some people seem to think that this practice is quite acceptable, but it's a crime and shows a complete lack of respect for the people and wildlife in the area."

Town councillor Michael Westerman, who lives near The Twines, also condemned the culprits.

And he voiced concerns that cuts in local authority services could exacerbate the situation.

"You get all kinds of waste dumped and it's disgusting," he added.

"My fear is that with cuts to the Council's cleansing budget, they will be less able to respond to these incidents."

Bradford Council says it uses a range of measures to tackle fly-tipping, including CCTV cameras to catch culprits and the seizing of vehicles known to be involved.

Offenders face a £400 fixed penalty notice or prosecution through the magistrates’ or crown courts.

Last year, 23 fixed penalty notices were issued for fly-tipping, there were 23 prosecutions and cautions, and two vehicles were seized and crushed.

A spokesperson added: "Figures show fly-tipping is a national problem which has been on the rise for many years.

"Each local authority has faced an increase in this criminal activity, which causes damage to the local environment and a growing burden on the council tax payer in the cost of clearing it up."

Keighley MP John Grogan welcomed proposals to tighten the law with regard to fly-tipping, but says Government cuts are hitting councils' enforcement capabilities.

He added: "Fly-tipping is a significant blight on our local environment, a source of pollution, a potential danger to public health and a hazard to wildlife.

"It also undermines legitimate waste businesses, where unscrupulous operators undercut those operating within the law.

"Two-thirds of fly-tipping comes from household waste and I support a recent Government proposal to tighten up a loophole in the law and make it an offence, punishable by a fixed penalty notice, for householders who pass on their waste to a fly-tipper as opposed to dumping it themselves.

"I hope that after Brexit is sorted, the Government will find time to tighten the law in this regard.

"Part of the problem though is that regulations need enforcing and after years of cuts, there are not enough staff in Bradford responsible for pursuing and prosecuting the fly-tippers. This also needs to be sorted."

Worth Valley councillor Rebecca Poulsen, deputy leader of the Conservative group on Bradford Council, is supporting the plea for people to come forward with information.

"Fly-tipping has reached worrying levels and there are hotspots within my ward," she said.

"I've been trying to get hidden cameras installed in some of the worst-affected areas to try to catch those responsible.

"A lot of these incidents tend to occur away from properties and during darkness.

"When I became a councillor one of my first campaigns was to oppose the planned closure of the Sugden End tip, a move which I feared could exacerbate fly-tipping problems."

Fly-tipping can be reported by calling the Council on 01274 434366 and asking for the environment enforcement team, or online at bradford.gov.uk.