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Plea for people to stop fly-tipping outside shop

Zhara Simpson
BBC News, South West
Sea Adora The front of Sea Adora which has a big window on the left and a door to the right. The words 'Sea Adora' is written on the window and below it has the words 'ing our coastline'.Sea Adora
Sea Adora said there had been a rise in people fly-tipping outside their shop

A Devon not-for-profit organisation is asking people to stop fly-tipping after a recent rise in the amount of unwanted items being left outside its shop.

Among items dumped outside the Sea Adora charity shop in Exmouth was a "dirty and smelly" mattress on Monday.

Manager Magi Goodwin said she had reported the mattress as fly-tipping to East Devon District Council (EDDC), but was given no time-frame on when it would be removed.

"Obviously it looks awful left outside my shop but, I cannot move it - plus it is dirty and smells," Ms Goodwin said.

Sea Adora A large mattress fly-tipped outside of the charity shop. The mattress is white and there are signs/leaflets in the window. One of the signs says 'volunteer with us'. There is a door to the left.Sea Adora
Magi Goodwin said they were always grateful for donations and asked people to take them in when the shop was open

She said: "We have recently had items such as old dirty carpets left outside the shop covered in paint.

"We have also had general black bags of rubbish left outside which I did pay to have removed by a rubbish removal company."

She said they were always grateful for genuine donations and asked for these to be bought in at times when the shop was open.

Sea Adora raises money for a number of local charities.

Sea Adora White rugs rolled up on the pavement. There is a plastic box on its side with off-cuts of carpet in it.Sea Adora
Magi Goodwin said the old and dirty rugs fly-tipped outside the shop were removed by the council

The EDDC website describes fly-tipping as a serious crime and said it always looked to catch and prosecute those committing it.

It said those with genuine donations should check their items could be accepted by a charity and not just left outside a shop.

"Our advice is to take large items to a waste and recycling centre, or arrange for a licensed waste carrier to dispose of waste safely and legally," EDDC added.

The council said fly-tipping incidents could be reported on its website, and those convicted of the offence could face up to two years imprisonment and up to a £50,000 fine.

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