FLY-tipping hotspots across the Keighley area have been revealed.

The extent of the problem – described as “shocking” by the town’s MP – has been highlighted through data obtained via a Freedom of Information request.

In a two-and-a-half-year period, more than 2,200 fly-tipping incidents were reported across the six Keighley-district Bradford Council wards.

The area with the highest total was Keighley Central, where 771 cases were recorded.

Its ward councillors say the problem is “a major issue”, but that work is being carried out to try to tackle it.

“We’ve been working alongside other agencies on this for a long time,” said Councillor Khadim Hussain.

“We are doing our best to tackle it but we do need the public’s help.

“It requires everybody to do their bit and work with us. Keighley Central includes the town centre and there are parts which are bad for rubbish being dumped.

“Fly-tipping wherever it occurs is totally unacceptable.”

Fellow ward councillor Zafar Ali said a number of activities had taken place, such as an action day, in a bid to raise awareness of the problem.

“We have done a lot of work but we have to continue working with the community to get the message across,” he added.

“Fly-tipping not only damages the environment but it attracts vermin and creates a health risk.”

The second-highest number of reported cases locally was in the Worth Valley, where there were 522 incidents.

Ward councillor Rebecca Poulsen said: “One of the problems we have is that the ward is large and very rural, so for people intent on fly-tipping it’s easier to find a secluded location where they’re unlikely to be seen.

“We have done a lot of work locally on trying to tackle this.

“Council staff are very good at coming out to clear dumped rubbish, but it would be better to use resources on being more proactive rather than reactive.

“Also we try to encourage people to report incidents or suspicious activity, however they don’t get feedback. People have got to feel it’s worthwhile reporting it.”

The area locally with the third highest number of incidents was Keighley West, with 372, followed by Bingley Rural (259), Keighley East (205) and Craven (133).

Keighley’s town mayor, Councillor Peter Corkindale, agrees that a more proactive approach could be beneficial.

And he adds that people have a responsibility to ensure that anyone they employ to remove waste is fully licensed.

Keighley MP Robbie Moore said: “These figures are shocking.

“It is clear that Bradford Council needs to do more.

“Councils have a range of powers available to tackle fly-tipping, including the ability to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £400 as well as enhanced powers to search and seize vehicles of suspected fly-tippers.”

The Freedom of Information request was submitted by Bradford District Green Party.

The figures cover 2018, 2019 and the first half of last year.

Worst hotspot in the whole of the Bradford district was Little Horton, with 2,260 cases.

Matt Edwards, for the Green Party, said: “Fly-tipping causes misery for people living near some of the worst hotspots and we have to make life as uncomfortable as possible for the people who dump rubbish in our local environment. We’ve got to be clear that this is not a victimless crime."

Bradford Council says its executive is being asked next week to approve an extra £300,000 to combat fly-tipping.

The money would be spent on new CCTV cameras and work to block-off some hotspot sites.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, executive member for healthy people and places, said: "We would much rather spend this money on looking after vulnerable members of the community and keeping other essential services running, but the actions of a criminal minority result in vital funds having to be channelled into trying to tackle this horrible blight on our community.

"There are plenty of ways to dispose of extra waste legally and cheaply so there is no need for rubbish to be dumped.

"Extra CCTV cameras will give us the opportunity to prevent more fly-tippers getting away with their crimes."

To report fly-tipping, phone the council on 01274 431000 or visit bradford.gov.uk.