AMUSEMENT machine businessman Bob Doubleday was not impressed when fly-tippers dumped a load of rubbish outside his base in Newton Abbot over the weekend.

He arrived at work at the Brunel Industrial Estate on Monday morning to find a heap of unsightly junk littering the units’ car park at Forde Court.

Insult was added to injury when he learned that police, informed of the illegal mess, allegedly refused to pass on vital information to help Teignbridge Council track the offender.

He revealed that amid the heap of unwanted trash was a motorbike, complete with its tell-tale registration plates which could lead to the registered keeper.

‘Police had the means to tell the council’s fly-tipping officer exactly who owned the machine – but they won’t because they said it contravened the Data Protection Act,’ he complained.

He added: ‘The poor council officer is trying to do his job and he comes up against a brick wall. It’s ludicrous because this is an open invitation for people to fly-tip anywhere they like.’

The unwanted deposits, he revealed, also include a fridge-freezer, a seat, a scattering of toys and other assorted detritus.

A furious Mr Doubleday, who helps run the Royal Casino gaming centre in Newton Abbot’s Bank Street, said: ‘This is a clear-cut chance to successfully prosecute someone for illegal fly-tipping – but police are not helping the council.

‘I’ve reported the crime to police on 101 straight away on Monday. I gave details, including the reg plate number. They said they would look into it.

‘Later, the council officer visited and I gave him information, and he took some pictures. I then heard later that police could not give bike details because of data protection. So nothing is being done.’

A police spokesman said: ‘As there is currently no criminal aspect to this, it is not a policing matter. Fly-tipping is a matter for the local council.’

A Teignbridge Council spokesman commented: ‘We are investigating a fly-tip – and appreciate the support of the person who has been impacted by it.’

She added: ‘We are pursuing all avenues to identify the culprit and are working with relevant organisations to gather evidence in the hope of identifying the vehicle involved in dumping the unsightly waste, tracing the owner and taking action.’