Hitchin Nub News has zero tolerance for the disgusting blight that is fly-tipping - but the latest anti-social dumping in our area raises questions about the 'peck-uliar' circumstances behind hundreds of kilos of frozen chicken left by the roadside.

Nub News has previously reported on motorcycles, filthy mattresses and broken beds being dumped in our area by callous cretins - but hundreds of kilograms of discarded frozen chicken is a new angle, even for us.

Fly-tipping is no laughing matter, but the mysterious circumstances behind the latest bout of fly-tipping in North Herts means the numerous bags of chicken pieces are no yolk, as the plot chickens...

Frozen chicken fly-tipped

A number of bags of frozen chicken portions – on a commercial scale – have been left on separate occasions on the side of the road in the village of Offley, near Hitchin.

Packaged in red plastic and green cardboard trays, the chicken has been mostly dumped in the grass verge, with the latest lot thrown into an abandoned caravan. Fly-tipping is illegal and punishable with a custodial sentence of up to five years and an unlimited fine.

Councillor Amy Allen, Executive Member for Waste and Recycling, said: "We are working hard to catch whoever did this. Not only is it disgusting to see, but the defrosting chicken is creating a horrific smell and attracting vermin.

"We believe a white Mercedes Sprinter van may have been involved on at least one occasion.

"If you have any information about this incident, or know why a huge amount of chicken might be being dumped please contact us immediately.  

"We treat fly-tipping very seriously and will prosecute those responsible."

Earlier this year the fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping was increased to £400 and enforcement activity continues to increase year-on-year as fly-tipping incidents continue to rise – with North Herts numbers tripling over the last 10 years.

Residents and businesses are urged to use registered waste disposal operators – otherwise you could also be liable – and are asked to report anything relating to fly-tipping as soon as possible to the council.

You can find out if someone is registered to carry waste by searching the Environmental Agency's Register on Gov.uk.

The best way to stop organised fly-tipping is to make sure that only authorised waste carriers take your waste away. 

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