PRISONERS have been recruited to carry out a blitz on the blight of fly-tipping across South Holland.
Operation Fly Swat has been put in place to help rid the district of illegal dumps that require costly clean-ups and are a blot of the landscape.
It is an extension of a multi-agency initiative launched in neighbouring Boston to tackle the problem, which has proved very successful.
The operation, which uses manpower from the North Sea Camp open prison, located on the Lincolnshire marshes, now covers a huge area around the Wash, from north of Boston down to Crowland, and from Sutton Bridge to west of Spalding.
Two crews of prisoners who are nearing the end of their sentences, volunteer to go out from Monday to Friday to work in neighbouring areas as part of their rehabilitation and preparation for life in the community and a return to employment.
In 2011/12 there were 742 reported cases of fly-tipping in South Holland, which involved moving 74.9 tonnes of fly-tipped rubbish, costing the council £55,821.
Operation Fly Swat frees up South Holland District Council’s Street Cleansing Team to focus on sweeping, litter picks and emptying bins.
Portfoilo holder for waste management Coun Roger Gambba-Jones said: “We are very pleased to welcome the initiative to South Holland.
“The team already has an excellent track record in dealing with the blight of fly-tipping for our neighbouring council and its partners.
“We are looking forward to seeing this success repeated across our district.”