A forest ranger is fed up with fly-tippers after metal barriers were broken into and 50 tonnes worth of waste was left in a woodland.

Romford Recorder: Clearing up the 50 tonne fly-tip in Bonnetts Wood, Upminster. Picture: Clare RowleyClearing up the 50 tonne fly-tip in Bonnetts Wood, Upminster. Picture: Clare Rowley (Image: Archant)

“Disgusted” ranger Clare Rowley is outraged that a further £8,000 had to be spent on clearing up rubbish rather than on “community engagement” following the latest incident at Bonnetts Wood in Gerpins Lane, Upminster.

The clear-up of rubbish – the latest being left by lorries on November 17 – has cost the Forestry Commission, which owns the land, £13,300 in two years, clearing up after 30 previous incidents in its nine Havering woodlands.

Clare said: “It’s more than just irresponsible, it’s anti-social, dangerous and disgusting – especially in our case, where visitors, including children and dogs could get into contact with the waste.”

The ranger, who has had other victims of fly-tipping raise concerns with her, added: “It’s also costing hard working farmers and land owners thousands of pounds to clear up each time and to maintain their site security, when they can ill-afford to do so.”

The community woodland has resorted to erecting concrete blocks and high-security padlocks after it had to fork out a further £4,000 on barrier repairs and security improvements.

Cabinet member for environment Cllr Robert Benham said: “Land owners shouldn’t have to bear the cost of clearing a fly tip, but neither should the public purse. That’s why we ask people to keep their eyes and ears open, and report anything they see or hear.

“This helps us, the police and the Environment Agency to catch offenders and bring them to justice.”

Havering Council dealt with almost 4,000 fly tips last year costing taxpayers £175,000.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: “People should register it with us on our database too so our crime team can deal with it.”

Suspicious activity can be reported to the police on 101.