North Sea Camp prisoners clear 65 tonnes of fly-tipped rubbish
Prisoners have cleared more than 65 tonnes of rubbish from illegal dump sites in a Lincolnshire town as part of a scheme to tackle fly-tipping.
Operation Fly Swat involved inmates from HMP North Sea Camp, who collected rubbish from 300 sites around Boston.
The borough council, which organised the project, said more than 600 tyres, 44 sofas and 20 fridges were collected during a 14-week period.
Hidden cameras were also used to target problem areas.
George Bernard, head of environmental operations at the council, said people were dumping waste on river banks, verges and housing estates.
He said the council scheme had been very successful and had provided an opportunity for inmates nearing the end of their sentences at North Sea Camp to "give something back to the community".
Mr Bernard said the council hoped to continue the scheme and to carry on its work with the Environment Agency, using surveillance equipment to gather evidence of people fly-tipping.
"It's worrying that these people take the opportunity of disposing of rubbish in our countryside," he said.
He warned that offenders could receive up to a £50,000 fine and five years imprisonment.
Operation Fly Swat started last October and involved a task force put together by nine local public organisations.