IT has been another busy week for the council's environmental crime officers tasked with making litter louts across the town pay for their actions.

Just three officers are employed full-time to search the borough's worst hit spots and identify the litterbugs and fly-tipping culprits – but it is a battle they are doing all they can to win.

Reporter Aran Dhillon joined Neil Lawson, who has been in the role for 17 years, and Cllr Tony Higgins (LAB – Fairfield and Howley), during a three-hour inspection of streets around Orford Lane on Monday.

The first port of call was at the back of Leonard Street where overflowing bins and dumped waste was clear to see.

The rubbish included alcohol cans, a blonde wig, Playstation 2 game, table and parts of a wooden cabinet.

But after getting hands on with the items, Mr Lawson and Cllr Higgins found pieces of crucial evidence, including company invoices, receipts and a delivery note, meaning the culprits could soon be identified following further investigations.

Any companies found to be damaging the state of the streets through fly-tipping can be ordered to show its waste transfer documents, or face a £300 fixed penalty, while notices for littering are charged at £50, which can rise to £75 if not paid within 10 days.

Despite the difficulty in finding solid evidence to ensure people can be held accountable, and even issued with a court summons, Mr Lawson admits the site investigations are a part of the job which he enjoys.

"It does get frustrating at times but I do like the process of identifying evidence, it is like a puzzle," he said.

"It is crucial to find concrete evidence and as much of it as we can as even if we find an address in the waste, it does not necessarily mean the person who has done it is from that address.

"But blatant fly-tipping will be prosecuted."

Mr Lawson made his way to Forshaw Street and Sharp Street soon after where he was also met with serious issues, including broken glass, although he admits it is a problem set to remain in the town.

"We are never going to be able to sort it completely but the council will do all it can to stamp it out," he said.

Cllr Higgins added: "It is a battle against those offending – it is us against them.

"Law abiding residents want to live in a clean environment, litter is a blight on our communities and damages them, while creating a lot of tension.

"I am on the front line fighting this as it is unacceptable.

"The council is under intense pressure but despite the increase in population and diversity we are determined to tackle this and we will."

One resident has hit out at the council for sending him a letter after he dropped a cigarette stub out of his car window 'without thinking'.

He believes he should have been given a warning before being issued with a fine as he 'did not know' it was against the law.