A FATHER in recovery from being stabbed claims he was told it was his responsibility to dispose of a pile of stinky rubbish fly tipped near his home.

Noel Gill, 47, reported the rat-infested pile to the council in April but says he was told nothing could be done because the alleyway was his responsibility.

Mr Gill rents his council-owned house in Westmore Gardens, Enfield, from Enfield Homes, which manages council housing in the borough.

He had to give up his job after being stabbed in the chest by a robber and is concerned about moving the rubbish for health reasons.

But he did offer to move the rubbish to the street where it could be collected by council workers.

“They said if you do that you'll be done for fly tipping, I couldn't believe it.

“They said it's your house and your responsibility. I said no it's not.

“Now it's piled up and piled up. I've got two young kids here, aged 11 and eight and now we've got rats out the back I'm sure they're going to find their way into my house.”

Mr Gill said the problem is also a fire hazard.

Last year 7,774 fly-tipping incidents were recorded by the council.

MP for Enfield North, Joan Ryan has called for councillors to adopt a fresh approach to fly tipping.

“It’s time for Enfield Council to get a grip on this problem and show that they mean business. I get far too many complaints about the lack of action in tackling the problem.

“A telephone hotline that is widely advertised would be a start. Currently it is slow and tedious for residents to get through and report fly-tipping." She also said that other councils prosecute more fly tippers.