New patrols are taking place on the streets of Telford in a crackdown on bin bags and extra rubbish left out by householders.

Council officials and police have joined forces in an attempt to clear up neighbourhoods in the borough and dish out information on rubbish and recycling. And those people who are caught continually leaving out bags of rubbish are being warned that they could be hauled before the courts.

Three people have already been prosecuted for continually leaving out bags of rubbish and not supporting the recycling service.

And in July 2007 a Telford couple were ordered to pay more than £2,000 after being found guilty by Telford magistrates of nine counts of failing to put their waste in the correct receptacle.

The council will not pick up extra bags of household rubbish that are left out for collection with grey wheelie bins, as it says they can attract animals and get blown around in the wind.

The council’s environmental maintenance team is working with Telford’s police community support officers (CSOs).

The CSOs have already been patrolling areas of Brookside, Woodside and Sutton Hill to monitor rubbish levels and provide information.

Councillor Stephen Bentley, lead member for the environment, said: “Measures like this are put into place to help work with residents to increase our recycling rate while also keeping Telford & Wrekin looking clean and green.”

CSO target team support officer Steven Butler said: “Many of the community problems raised at local meetings raise littering high up on the list of factors which effect their daily living.

“We will continue to work very closely with our partners at Telford & Wrekin Council to stamp out this type of anti-social behaviour.”

All household rubbish should be placed in the grey wheelie bin with the lid down.

It is an offence to leave out extra bags of rubbish.

Anyone struggling to manage their household rubbish should contact Telford & Wrekin Council’s environmental maintenance team on (01952) 384384.

By Lizzie Yates