Fly tippers are being warned that the Staffordshire Moorlands is not the place to dump their rubbish.

There has been an increase in incidents in recent weeks, and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Staffordshire Police want people to be aware that it will not be tolerated.

Councillor Mike Bowen, Cabinet member for Communities at the Council, said: "Fly tipping at any time is thoroughly irresponsible and shows no regard for the communities it spoils or the people who have to clear it up. But, at a time when our public services are doing their utmost to support people through the Covid health pandemic, it is simply unforgivable.

"The incidences we have seen in recent weeks cannot be allowed to continue and, through the Community Safety Partnership, we are sending out a very clear message that this will not be tolerated and we are working together to combat it.

"We always seek to prosecute those responsible, where possible, and people should be aware that fly tipping is a criminal offence which can result in unlimited fines or a prison sentence. There is simply no excuse for it so please don't do it!"

The warning comes after recent incidents in the Tean area including what has been described as an 'industrial-scale' tip at Huntley Lane when around 100 tyres were dumped in the area.

Local councillor and Deputy Leader of the District Council, Councillor Mark Deaville, said: "This clearly cannot be allowed to continue and I welcome the partnership focus on tackling it.

"The small minority who think they can blight our beautiful countryside in this way should be under no illusion that their actions have consequences and the Moorlands is absolutely not the place to abuse in this way."

The County Council-operated tips at Biddulph, Cheadle and Leek remain open to the public and are operating in a Covid secure way.

Sergeant Rob Peacock, from the Staffordshire Moorlands Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "There has been a recent rise in the amount of fly tipping going on across our local area and we're warning those responsible that we are looking into a number of incidents alongside our local partners.

"Fly tipping is a criminal offence and is one that can have serious ramifications for the local community and wildlife. We will look to punish those found to be dumping their waste illegally."