CRIMINALS who are fly-tipping hazardous asbestos in and around Bridgwater are being targeted in a drive by Somerset Waste Partnership and Sedgemoor District Council.

Council officers are to undergo a course to train them in indentifying asbestos, safely removing it and finding the criminals who dumped it in the first place.

It is hoped that by improving the training of council workers, criminals can be caught more readily.

Asbestos is among the wide range of risky materials that dangerous criminals have dumped in the Somerset countryside, from chemicals to medical waste.

Nick Cater from Somerset Waste Partnership said: “Over the years we have seen pretty much everything under the sun being dumped and it is something that we take incredibly seriously.

“Commercial traders in particular will be offering services to people and then just dumping waste in a lay-by.

“If you don’t have the morality not to fly tip you probably don’t care about the types of hazardous materials you are dumping in the countryside either.”

Before its severe health hazards were fully understood, asbestos was widely used in the past for many purposes, from construction to insulation.

Today’s demolition, rebuilding and home improvements are turning up asbestos in roofs, floor tiles, storage heaters and certain types of cement.

In a statement a Somerset Waste Partnership spokesperson said: “These criminals may seem helpful and reassuring, but they con clients out of cash by pretending to correctly get rid of asbestos.

“When they fly-tip the asbestos, they put the public at risk, dump clear-up costs on council tax payers, and their clients may end in court for failing in their duty of care.

“These crooks endanger our health, rip off our cash, and threaten jobs by underlining legitimate businesses."

When looking to dispose of asbestos Somerset Waste Partnership advises people to consult an expert before starting any removal, note traders’ names, contacts and vehicle details and ask to see their waste carrier licence.

They also advise never pay cash for waste services and always get a receipt with all business details.

For information about disposing of asbestos, and about fighting fly-tipping, visit www.somersetwaste.gov.uk