A HARD hitting campaign has been launched across the Dudley borough to tackle litter louts and flytippers.

Dudley Council is spreading posters around the borough bearing the strongly worded message "Don't be a tosser" in a bid to clamp down on people dumping their rubbish.

The striking message behind the campaign was originally launched by City of York Council but chiefs at Dudley Council have taken it up following a increase in flytipping and littering at beauty spots since lockdown restrictions were eased.

Dudley News:

Council figures reveal there have been nearly 7,000 recorded incidents of fly-tipping in the borough between 2011 and 2019, costing the council £371,382 in clean-up costs.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental, highways and street services, said: "Fly-tipping or dropping litter is totally unacceptable at any time but even more so at the moment, when the council has to prioritise doing all it can to keep essential services running and support the most vulnerable people in society.

"The new poster campaign uses strong language to highlight our zero tolerance approach to this.

"Our staff will investigate every single incident reported to us so think twice, as anyone found to be responsible for fly-tipping could be liable for fines of up to £50,000 through the courts. Fixed penalty notices of £75 will also be handed to anyone who is caught dropping litter.

"We do not want our beauty spots and green spaces, or indeed anywhere in the borough, to become dumping grounds - anyone who is caught will feel the full force of the law."

The campaign comes more than a year after Cradley councillor Richard Body launched his own DIY signs bearing a similar sentiment on Wynall Lane South and Foxcote Lane in a bid to catch flytippers.