A "fly-tipping epidemic" across West Watford and the town centre has prompted calls for the mayor and police to stamp out the problem.

Watford Labour leader Nigel Bell said urgent action is needed to stop law-breakers feeling "they can simply get away with it".

Labour councillors are campaigning for Watford Borough Council to re-introduce free collections for bulky items.

Cllr Bell has called upon the police and Elected Mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill to take immediate action to stop this fly-tipping across Watford.

He said: "This dumping of large amounts of rubbish is becoming an epidemic as law-breakers feel they can simply get away with it regardless of the impact it has on the local environment.

"We need firm action to stamp this out. Firstly we need the police to catch and prosecute fly-tippers as a strong warning to others.

"Secondly we need the re-introduction of free collections of bulky items by Watford Council."

Fellow Vicarage councillor Jagtar Singh Dhindsa said collection charges were a "false economy" as it "encourages fly-tipping and in any case the Council then has to pay more to clear it up anyway".

While Leggatts councillor and Watford Labour group secretary Anne Joynes added: "Previously under Labour, Watford Council offered a free collection of bulky items such as unwanted furniture. Some of it was recycled for further use.

"Dorothy Thornhill as mayor introduced charges for collections a part of the Liberal Democrat’s cuts package some years ago. The result has been more dumping."