Editor's Note: Don't turn our country into a dumping ground

The crime took place in the dead of night, as so many do.

Sneaking through the thin strip of forest between two residential neighbourhoods, the culprit slipped through the fence and then reached back to grab the rubbish bin he hauled toward the wood under the cover of dark.

And then it was done – with a flourish he dumped it and give it a little kick to spread it about the forest floor. Cans, papers, little bags of dog waste.

Then he saw me coming down the path and ran. A grown man in the heart of Bearsden, fly tipping in the middle of the night.

A small crime, but a disgusting and disappointing one for everyone who likes to walk along the little path and catch a little fresh air during this time of quarantine. ClearWaste.com, which tracks illegal dumping, told the Scottish Sun that it’s seen an 83% rise in cases.

Families are generating additional waste and recycling through the lockdown as they stay obediently at home, yet many councils have reduced their collection schedules and closed recycling centres.

Most sensible humans are storing their waste, but there are those who would rather dump it in the wild than exercise a bit of patience.

The consequences are substantial. Rats and other vermin are attracted to discarded food. Police officers need to stand guard outside tips to make sure people aren’t dumping junk at the gates. And it’s just gross.

Have you seen fly tipping in your neighbourhood? Send your story and pictures to news@stv.tv.