AT FIRST sight this row of shrubs in planters might appear to be part of Tong’s Yorkshire in Bloom entry.

But at a closer look the shrubs turn out to be cannabis plants and the dozen or so planters were dumped in the latest episode of fly-tipping in the area.

The shrubs were spotted by the T&A’s photographer on Tuesday along New Lane between Raikes Lane and Tong Lane.

They appeared to be have been plants from a cannabis farm that had been stripped of their foliage after harvesting and then deposited at the roadside.

Councillor Alan Wainwright (Lab, Tong) said he recognised the plants as cannabis but he did not think those who dumped them would be easily caught.

He said: “It’s a national epidemic. You see the growing media dumped everywhere.

“I think there are far worse areas than that.

“But how do you catch them? We rely on the general public to pass on information.”

He said Bradford Council does endeavour to clear rubbish and fly-tipping as soon as reasonably possible and he said the plants in this incident had been cleared up by Thursday morning.

Asked whether the Council could put up CCTV in the area to film offenders, he said: “The Council are very restricted as to where they can put cameras.

“We have had CCTV in that area but the actual tree it was on was blown down.”

He said members of the public are not reporting those who they see fly-tipping. “Fly-tippers also tend to do their dastardly deeds in the dark hours and as you point out on country lanes”.

He added: “The Council relies on the general public to pass on any information on perpetrators and will prosecute offenders if they have enough evidence.

“Therefore I would encourage your newspaper to publicise the fact that if people report those who dump then the council will prosecute.”

The Save Tong and Fulneck Valley Association has been campaigning about fly-tipping in the area and recently held a meeting to discuss the issue with Bradford Council representatives.

The group is holding a Tong Village Great British Clean Up on Saturday, April 27, and have called for volunteers to help pick up rubbish around the village.

Residents are meeting at Tong Village Hall on Tong Lane at 9.30am for a 10am start.

Protective equipment including gloves, high-vis jackets, litter grabbers and refuse bags will be provided by the Council who are supporting the initiative.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said officers carried out an area search on Wednesday but were unable to locate the planters.

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “Our staff have cleared unidentified gardening waste which had been dumped in New Lane in Tong. If any of our staff discover evidence of illegal activity they are encouraged to report it to the police.

“Bradford Council employs a range of measures to tackle fly-tipping including CCTV cameras to catch the culprits and seizing vehicles known to be involved in fly-tipping. We also investigate fly-tipped rubbish to try and identify the source.

“We also 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.”

Fly-tipping can be reported be calling the Council 01274 431000 or online at www.bradford.gov.uk.