Illegally dumped refrigerators, windows and paint containers have posed a danger to children in the Vesey Street-area for the last five months, according to concerned residents.

And the residents say they are fed up with the lack of response from Police and the Ministry of Works and Engineering to the problem.

Local residents suspect the dumping is taking place at night and said it is a “disgusting” display of unsightly materials, lying only inches from the roadside.

“It's disgusting that people can't find better ways to dispose of their trash,” one resident said. “This has been five months of chronic dumping. No one is taking any action. It's especially a danger for children -- There are children riding their bikes there all the time. Anyone can lift up the lid of that refrigerator and climb in.”

The resident claimed no one had been prosecuted for the dumping, in spite of repeated complaints to Police and the Ministry of Works and Engineering.

“Apparently it's a case where Police went through the garbage and found a person's name,” she said. “But when that person was contacted, they said they had paid a trucker to haul the trash away.

“So Police know who the person is, but nothing has been done. It's like they are not taking this seriously. It's been five months of this.

“Now it looks like commercial contractors are starting to dump their waste.”

The dumping is occurring despite a Government stop order prohibiting illegal dumping on the stretch of land near the Bermuda Equestrian Centre. Last month the Planning Department restricted industrial dumping in Devonshire Marsh after local environment groups were concerned waste could severely affect the area.

When Government Information Services was contacted, a spokeswoman said that further investigation was being handled by Police.

A Police spokesman said he was unable to comment but said he would look into the matter.

Local conservationists last month said that the marsh area was in danger of becoming more contaminated if dumping continued.