Police investigate large pile of waste dumped at Hatchet Moor New Forest car park off Hatchet Lane in East Boldre
A LARGE flytip, including furniture, a fridge, a microwave and a television, was found at a New Forest car park amid a rise in dumpings.
Speaking out after Wednesday’s discovery at Hatchet Moor, off the B3054 Hatchet Lane in East Boldre, Forestry England highlighted the high clearance costs and the harm to the environment.
A member of the public first raised the alarm, having spotted a small amount of waste on the verge.
However, on arrival, FE staff discovered a large amount of items dumped further into the car park and around the edge of the pond.
“The flytip included a wide range of household items including a fridge, microwave, TV, toys, and furniture and appears to be a household clearance of some sort,” an FE spokesperson said today (Friday).
“We are currently removing all of this dumped waste.”
Highlighting a rise in Forest flytipping since the start of this year, the spokesperson said this equated to an average of one a day.
“Dumping waste is hazardous for wildlife and can damage the landscape,” they continued.
“Clearing up is also extremely high cost and takes our limited funds away from conservation work and looking after this special place.
“Last year we spent over £70,000 clearing this waste, this is money that can’t then be spent on planting trees, repairing trails and car parks, or supporting wildlife.”
Sharing pictures of the Hatchet Moor flytip online, local police urged people to come forward to help track down those responsible.
The post said: “Can you help our colleagues at Forestry England?
“This rubbish was dumped in the Hatchet Moor car park earlier this week and some of it is extremely distinctive.”
It added: “Flytipping costs Forestry England thousands of pounds a year to remove from the Forest and we need to do what we can to stop it.”
Members of the public took to the comments online to express their anger at the offence.
One person wrote: “This is not the first time. I reported a really large collection of rubbish in the same spot last year, I think.
“Radio controlled toys, etc. In fact people were coming over and taking things away like it was a car boot sale. I reported it to the council who, I guess, collected it.”
Another posted: “This is disgusting, the tip is probably nearer, I really hope you catch these people.”
Those having waste taken away from their property should only use contractors with a valid waste carriers licence. They can check this on the Environment Agency website.
Anyone with information about the Hatchet Moor flytip, particularly the owners of the waste, is urged to email richard.williams@hampshire.police.uk
