RANGERS are "closing in" on careless fly-tippers who left a toy Womble in rubbish dumped at Polesden Lacey.
Simon Akeroyd, countryside manager at the National Trust estate, said the criminals were "getting slack" after distinctive evidence was found in two separate dumping incidents on Polesden Road in Great Bookham.
As well as the Womble – a popular children's TV character that exists to collect garbage – an Ordnance Survey map of Snowdon in Wales was recovered, and Mr Akeroyd is hoping people might recognise the unusual items.
"The irony of a Wombles doll in this latest dump is not lost on us," he said. "They are supposed to be all about clearing up rubbish but this one is doing the exact opposite.
"Hopefully people will spot these bits as items they gave to people to get rid of and they can identify those people to us or the police.
"These dumps are the latest in a long line recently and we can't explain why this is happening. We are in despair in regards to what we can do – but these clues might be a lifeline."
He added: "As far as I'm concerned we have one or two people who are doing this, not loads.
"They do it one time and think they can get away with it but they are getting slack.
"They are leaving clues and we are looking through all the rubbish that is dumped. We are closing in on them and we will find them. We need to stop this blight on the countryside."
Managers at Polesden Lacey have instructed Mole Valley District Council to clear up the dumps, an activity that costs the estate approximately £150 each time.
Mr Akeroyd said the site, which is managed by the National Trust, was "wasting money, time and manpower".
He said: "We just do not have the resources to clear it all up so we ask the council to do it. It's costing us money that as a conservation charity could be spent much better.
"The problem is that these people target our sites as they think they can get away with it because it's quiet and big. The short hours of sunlight make them even more confident."
Speaking after the dumping incidents on December 15, Mr Akeroyd added: "I've never ever seen rubbish just dumped on the road before. I mean, what about people coming home from Christmas parties late at night? They could kill someone."
To report dumped rubbish, visit www.molevalley.gov.uk or call 01306 885001.
Police can be alerted to suspicious activity or an incident in progress on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
