Residents warned over risk of arson

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Residents in Hartlepool are being warned to clear away any discarded rubbish from the town's back streets in a bid to reduce the risk of arson and other crime.

Hartlepool Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade issued the message after the environmental enforcement team from Hartlepool Borough Council described the situation in a number of streets as "unacceptable".

The Safer Hartlepool Partnership is also urging residents to put out wheeled bins only on designated collection days as they have been used by burglars to gain access to properties and to wheel away or hide stolen goods. Any rubbish left on the street can also be set alight, creating the potential for fire to spread to adjacent properties.

Householders will now be served with a legal notice if they continue to leave rubbish out before or after designated collection dates. Failure to abide by the warning could lead to them being hit with a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice fine and possible prosecution at a magistrates' court.

Acting Chief Inspector Mick Brown said: "We do not want to use enforcement, but please be assured we'll take swift measures against people who don't take note."

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