Former council worker charged over food waste bag theft

30-year-old Paul Strickland of Bolton Road, Worsley, is due to appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Wednesday (August 12 2015) to face charges of theft by an employee.

Greater Manchester Police said it received a report on June 29 that a “significant number of compost waste bags had been stolen from an organisation in Weaste, Salford”.

Salford city council provides the biodegradable waste bags free of charge to residents as part of its weekly food waste collection service.

However, a council spokesman said it was alerted “by a whistleblower to allegations that bags were being stolen and sold on eBay”.

The allegations, which the council said involved 8,200 rolls of bags worth £5,500, were subsequently investigated by the council’s internal audit team and the police.

The council spokesman said: “A former employee is due in court on Wednesday August 12 in connection with these allegations.”

All food waste bags will now be stamped with Salford city council’s logo in future “to prevent fraud”, the council spokesman added.

Residents requiring more compostable liners are advised on the council website to tie an empty liner to the lid of their pink green waste wheeled bins and place it out for collection. New bin liners are then delivered to the doorstep for free.

According to the council spokesman: “Bio-degradable food waste bags are provided for residents to use in their food recycling caddies which are collected every week.  Every refuse collection vehicle has a supply of rolls of bags on board to distribute as residents need them.  We are one of only a few across the country which supply these bags free, to try and maximise recycling.”

Police

Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: ““Paul Strickland of Bolton Road in Worsley has been charged with theft by an employee.

“On 29 June 2015 police received a report that a significant number of compost waste bags had been stolen from an organisation in Weaste, Salford.

“He has been bailed to appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ court on Wednesday 12 August 2015.”