Herts Police have urged the public to check contractors are licensed to carry waste away before employing them.

Herts Advertiser: Fly-tipping on Punch Bowl Lane. Photo supplied by St Albans district council.Fly-tipping on Punch Bowl Lane. Photo supplied by St Albans district council. (Image: Archant)

This follows a series of fly-tipping incidents across the St Albans district.

Over the weekend, Gibraltar Lane in Harpenden was shut after a heap of household waste blocked the road for drivers.

And then on Monday, Punch Bowl Lane in St Albans had to be closed after a heap of building waste was strewn across the road.

In response, St Albans district council launched an investigation, and Herts Police said: “Incidents such as these can be a danger to road users.

Herts Advertiser: Fly tipping on Gibraltar Lane, with police officers in attendance. Credit: Harpenden PoliceFly tipping on Gibraltar Lane, with police officers in attendance. Credit: Harpenden Police (Image: Archant)

“We would like to reassure the public officers work closely with the council, who are the lead authority, to tackle these offences.

“We look for every opportunity to identify offenders and bring them to justice and this includes the use of covert methods, particularly in rural locations.

“However, we would also urge members of the public to assist us in reporting any suspicious activity.

“We would also like to remind people if they are having work done at their home and a contractor has been employed, the person having the work done is still responsible for ensuring the waste is safely disposed of so please do check the contractor is licensed to carry it away.”

The district council’s head of legal services Mike Lovelady said: “We examined both fly-tips for evidence of who the rubble belonged to and who may have dumped it. Unfortunately, there were no leads in this case.”

Fly-tipping can be reported to the police’s non-emergency number 101, or to the council on 01727 809019.