Call to scrap bin charges

Sunderland council has been urged to scrap its £25 charge for replacing lost or stolen wheelie bins.

Liberal Democrat campaigners have questioned the city council’s policy, claiming it has contributed to a big rise in reported crime from last year.

At a meeting of the authority’s scrutiny coordinating committee, councillors were told that figures showed that there had been a 31% rise in crime from the previous year.

This rise in crime figures has been ascribed to a council policy, to charge £25 for lost or stolen bins.

As a result, over the course of the 2017-18 year, 956 stolen bins were reported to the police last year - up from about 800 the previous year.

Lib Dem campaigners and councillors have criticised this policy, arguing that it artificially skews crime statistics, as well as being unfair to residents.

Stephen O’Brien, the Lib Dem Councillor for Grindon and Thorney Close, said: “It is wrong that council taxpayers should have to pay for replacement bins for someone else’s wrongdoing.

“I know from my own experience that the majority of local people aren’t careless about their bins, so it’s a real kick in the teeth to have to pay for a replacement.”

“The Wearside Liberal Democrats’ policy on this is quite clear - bins should be free for the people.”

A statement on Sunderand City Council website reads: “Residents are responsible for looking after their bins and are encouraged to take steps to keep them safe.

“If a bin is lost, stolen or damaged beyond a repair a charge of £25 will apply for delivery of a new wheelie bin.

“Make sure your bin is only left out for the collection day and brought back in after it has been emptied.”