£TWO MILLION: the annual Oldham cost of arson on household bins

BIN fires in Oldham are costing taxpayers £2 million a year.

With figures showing bin fires running at an average 72 a month, Oldham Council is launching a campaign with the fire service and police to combat the problem.

Officials say that people who do not take in their bin straight away after collection are at greater risk of it being damaged or destroyed through anti-social behaviour.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure Councillor Mark Alcock said: “Every year an enormous amount of time is wasted by the fire service dealing with bin fires.

“Between April and November last year, there were 631 bin fires in Oldham.

“Every call-out costs £2,000 which equates to nearly £2 million pounds a year needlessly wasted and putting people who are in real danger at risk.

“The sooner people put their bin back then the sooner this potential hazard is removed from the street.”

He added: “The council knows where in Oldham this sort of dangerous and anti-social behaviour is most prevalent and will be launching a campaign to sticker bins and leaflet houses to remind people to do just that and explain that enforcement action will be taken if necessary.

“This is an example of dangerous anti-social behaviour that can be easily prevented by local citizens. As well as being set on fire, bins not collected can be an obstruction to the elderly and disabled, can be used by opportunity burglars to gain access to houses and make the area look unsightly.”