FLY-TIPPERS inadvertently left behind clues as to their identities in the latest dumping episode to blight the Mole Valley.
Rob Hewer, head ranger for North Downs West, this week called for tougher penalties after the trust had to spend £300 clearing up rubbish left at Ranmore West car park at Ranmore Common on Monday.
But Mr Hewer, who is responsible for sites including Denbies Hillside and the Bookham Common, said there was a chance they could still catch the culprits.
"We found a couple of addresses in the rubbish that are attributed to London so that is something that will be chased up," he said.
"We are so close to the M25 that it becomes easy for us to be targeted by tippers in the capital," he added.
The ranger said the problem is "one of the biggest facing his team for several years".
He added: "We have had hundreds of these and it's a massive concern.
"Surrey Hills has become a dumping ground and I think it is up to the police to come down harder on these people."
Responsibility for fly-tipping is divided between the police, who deal with the crime, Surrey County Council, which is responsible for roads, and Mole Valley District Council, which removes the waste.
Mr Hewer said: "There doesn't seem to be any real way of combating it.
"My team covers about 2,000 acres and these scoundrels can pop up anywhere and dump their rubbish. I think the public need to help us and be vigilant to people doing this.
"It's a crime in progress so people are well within their rights to call 999 if they see people dumping.
"The problem is that these guys offer to take people's rubbish away, but the public needs to ask to see their waste carrier licence, as it's likely they plan to dump it if they don't have one.
"Our limited funds, which are for managing our precious countryside, are being depleted by constantly having to remove illegal waste."
To report dumped rubbish, visit www.molevalley.gov.uk or call 01306 885001.
To alert police to suspicious activity or an incident in progress call 101, or 999 in an emergency.
