Anger after flytippers dump rubbish on moors in North Yorkshire and set it on fire

Flytippers who dumped rubbish on moorland and set it alight could have caused serious damage, police said.
By Susie Beever
Published 13th May 2020, 13:08 BST

The waste was tipped in a sinkhole on land in rural Richmondshire then set on fire in the early hours of May 4.

Warnings have recently been issued over the vulnerability of the moorland to fire following a spell of dry weather, with the Moorland Association recently describing it as a "powder keg".

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North Yorkshire Police described the flytippers' actions as "reckless", adding they could have led to an "extremely serious fire".

Images released by North Yorkshire Police of waste tipped in a sinkhole on land in rural Richmondshire then set on fireImages released by North Yorkshire Police of waste tipped in a sinkhole on land in rural Richmondshire then set on fire
Images released by North Yorkshire Police of waste tipped in a sinkhole on land in rural Richmondshire then set on fire

PC Mark Wood, Richmond Rural beat manager, said: "There is a high risk of moorland fires at the moment, and the consequences of this could have been incredibly serious."

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The fly-tipped rubbish included remnants of a mattress, some crutches, empty cardboard packs of icing sugar, an artificial Christmas tree and garden waste.

Officers are now working closely with Richmondshire District Council to identify those responsible for the offences.

Anyone with information is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police.