Distress of vulnerable Preston man conned into storing 600 scrap tyres in his garden

Neil Black, who has severe mental health problems and a range of other health conditions, says he has been conned and manipulated by a friend of a friend he doesn't know into taking the tyres.

Now an investigation is underway by Preston Council to find out who is responsible for the problem.

Mr Black, who lives in Charlotte Place, Avenham, said the situation unfolded a couple of weeks ago when he met a friend in Preston who was talking to another man on a bench.

During the course of the conversation, Mr Black agreed to allow the unknown man to store 100 tyres in his back garden for a short period of time.

He said: "He said there would be 100 tyres and it would only be for two or three days and I agreed to help.

"But then they kept coming and coming. There must be about 600 of them, covering all of the garden.

"I've been manipulated and it's made me angry and depressed.

"I have severe mental health problems and health issues, and I've been having a break down about this."

Mr Black said he went to Preston Police Station to report the issue, but was told it wasn't a police matter.

He has since reported the problem to his housing association, Places for People, and to Preston City Council.

He said: "I've not heard anything back, I'm not getting any help. I don't know what to do and it's stressing me out.

"I have no contact details for the man who I arranged it with, but I've heard he's off somewhere in Glasgow now.

"I just want to get it sorted out and I want to apologise to the other residents of Charlotte Place."

A spokesperson for Preston City Council said: “Waste enforcement officers from Preston City Council are aware of the dumping of tyres at the property and are working with Mr. Black and the landlord to solve the matter.

“While the removal of this waste for free is not the responsibility of Preston City Council or the landlord, we are working with Mr. Black to find a solution to this issue.

“Anyone with any information regarding the inappropriate handling of these scrap tyres can contact our waste enforcement team. All information will be treated in strictest confidence.”

Places for People were contacted but declined to comment.

What is the law?

Waste tyres are controlled waste hence are subject to the environmental regulations on Duty of Care, Registration of Carriers and Licensing of Waste Management operations.

Since 2003, whole tyres have not been allowed in landfill, and from 2006, even shredded tyres have not been allowed.

Instead, the tyres have to be recycled. Tyres deemed reusable are re-moulded, and sold second-hand as re-treads.

Tyres that cannot be used again are shredded, more or less finely, until granulate is obtained and then sent to different recovery companies. Recycled tyres can be used as fuel for cement kilns, in the construction of landfill sites and flood defences, and in rubber products such as flooring, road surfaces, furniture and shoes.

The Environment Agency can prosecute those responsible for illegally storing or disposing of waste tyres.