Fly-tippers have defied repeated warnings to once again target Wellington Cemetery.

Four tyres were found discarded opposite the entrance to the cemetery at the weekend, in an apparent fly-tipping incident.

Somerset Council has pledged to clear the dumped waste, and branded fly-tippers as 'environmental criminals.'

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: "We are aware of the incident and the offending material will be removed.

Fly-tipping is an environmental crime, particularly in a sensitive location such as Wellington Cemetery. There is a waste recycling centre at Poole, Wellington, where tyres can be disposed of in the correct way.“

It comes after authorities warned fly-tippers that they could face prosecution - a threat which appears to have gone unheeded by some.

In February, a spokesperson for the dissolved Somerset West and Taunton Council said: "If you witness somebody fly tipping you should never confront them but do take down as much detail as possible including the date, time and location, any vehicle details and the registration number and a brief description of the offenders and what they were doing. All this information can help with a prosecution. 

“If you discover waste after it has been left don’t touch it - it could be dangerous, containing syringes or other hazardous substances - and don’t disturb the site as there may be evidence that could help to identify offenders and lead to their prosecution."

An historic incident of fly-tipping at the cemetery
An historic incident of fly-tipping at the cemetery (Tindle)

There have been a number of incidents of fly-tipping at the cemetery this year alone, marking the continuation of a longstanding problem.

In 2017, fly-tippers dumped household waste at the cemetery, which was then discovered in the early hours of the morning by residents coming to tend of the graves of their relatives.

Avon and Somerset Police guidance is that fly-tipping on public land should be reported to the local council. They define the crime as: "The illegal deposit of any waste onto land, or any waste dumped or tipped on a site with no licence to accept waste. Fly-posting is the practice of putting up unauthorised advertising posters in public places."