Shift your bin straight away — or risk £80 fine

Launching the campaign (from the left) PCSO Adam Riley, council recycling manager Mark Husdan, neighbourhood inspector Dave Stopford, Councillor Mark Alcock and community safety fire officer Simon Wheelwright

HOUSEHOLDERS will be warned to keep their wheelie bins out of sight — or face an £80 fine.

Oldham Council has teamed up with the fire service to urge residents to take in their bins straight after they have been emptied to help to cut the number set alight by vandals. If they do not, they could be fined £80.

Last year, 68 wheelie bins were set on fire across the borough, costing taxpayers an estimated in £136,000 in fire service and clean-up costs.

The council says bins can also be used by burglars when breaking into houses, are a hazard to the elderly and disabled and make neighbourhoods look unsightly

Leaflets will be sent to households in the worse offending areas and stickers placed on bins urging people to do their bit.

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said: “Every year an enormous amount of time is wasted by the fire service dealing with bin fires.

“The sooner people put their bins back then the sooner this potential hazard is removed.

“This dangerous anti-social behaviour can easily be prevented.”