A bid to clean up the streets and alleyways of Camborne has got under way with the aim of making the town a nicer place to live.
Talking Rubbish was staged by Safer Camborne, the multi-agency initiative set up to improve community safety and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the town.
It honed in on a number of areas which have become hotspots for dumped household waste.
Michelle Cowie, Cornwall Council's Public Health and Protection's Environmental Enforcement Officer, said it was unacceptable for the whole community to have rubbish simply dumped on the streets.
"There have been long-term issues with certain back lanes in Camborne for a number of years with these areas being used as a place to dump unwanted household items and waste," she said.
"We wish to educate residents about their responsibilities.
"Fly tipping is a criminal offence and one that is taken seriously.
"Any one caught fly-tipping will be prosecuted which can lead to either a heavy fine or imprisonment if found guilty."
Talking Rubbish was staged after a number of complaints about fly tipping to the Council's Public Health and Protection Service.
As a result, environmental enforcement officers approached the Safer Camborne partnership to ask for assistance in organising an event which would give residents a clean slate and encourage everyone to keep public spaces and the back lanes in the identified problem areas clear of dumped items.
Cornwall Council officers from the Environmental Crime Team and Waste Management Service, along with waste contractor Cory rolled their sleeves up to clear up the fly-tipped waste in the affected areas.
They also gave advice to residents about their responsibilities when disposing of rubbish and reminded them of the penalties for fly tipping and their responsibilities regarding their household waste.
They were joined by local councillors, police officers and PCSOs, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and officers from Cornwall Council's Community Safety Team who will all help deliver leaflets and report cards to every household affected by the issue in the target area.
Bert Biscoe, Cornwall Council's Cabinet Member for Transportation and Waste, who joined the group said: "I welcome initiatives such as this which sees partners working together with local residents to achieve a better outcome for everyone in the community."
