With reference to the article about travellers leaving rubbish at the cricket ground in Braypool Lane, Patcham (The Argus, May 18), while Brighton and Hove City Council could never condone the actions of the travellers and is seeking to take enforcement action against them, it needs to be pointed out the rubbish they left probably came from houses and businesses in the local area.

Unscrupulous operators are known to go from door to door offering to take away people's rubbish for a fee.

At the time it can seem to residents they are getting a good deal, until their waste ends up illegally dumped in local parks, woods and sports grounds.

Trading standards have warned people to be very careful about anyone offering this service, especially if they claim to be "only in the area for a day".

Always ask anyone who calls at your house for identification and ensure it is valid before you consider letting anyone into your home.

For more information or to report anything suspicious, call Trading Standards on 08454 040506.

-Councillor Gill Mitchell, chair of Brighton and Hove City Council environment committee