ILLEGAL and dangerous dumping of asbestos on Romney Marsh could be stopped with public vigilance, according to Shepway council.

In recent weeks, the council has cleared asbestos from 20 sites in the Marsh, and hopes to remove the rest by the end of the week.

The council’s environment head Rory Love has announced a crackdown on the “rogue traders” believed to be carrying out the illegal fly-tipping, and asked residents to look out for vans and lorries at night.

He said: “We believe this might be coming from outside the district.

“We ask people to be extra vigilant and to get the registration number and description of the vehicle and of anyone they think might be involved – providing it is safe for them.”

The council has advised anyone who finds asbestos not to move it, as it is only a hazard when it is moved. As long as the asbestos is on public land, the council will arrange to have it removed. However, it is not responsible for taking away materials that have been illegally dumped on private land.

Those found guilty of fly-tipping can be fined up to £50,000, while the owners of vehicles transporting waste without a licence face a £300 fine.

Anyone finding asbestos in the Shepway is asked to call 01303 858660 and give a precise location.