As thieves managed to steal an American-style fridge from March recycling centre, fly-tippers targeted more beauty spots across the Fens.
The thieves even lifted the distinctive fridge over the 10ft high security fences at the centre in Hundred Road.
The incident happened at around 3am on Friday morning (January 22).
A post on the Policing Fenland Facebook page said: “To most of us, this is a place where we take our unwanted possessions for disposal.
“To a small few, this is a place to take items from again and again.”
It continued: “There are consequences to the private business which operates the contract for the recycling centre in March, harming all of those that work there.
“This isn't upcycling, nor is this someone taking a couple of items when desperate. It's theft and burglary.”
The post went on to explain how officers plan to deal with the incident.
It said: “Most of you will agree, we should be focussing on something more 'harmful' however the sheer number of thefts have forced our hand.
“We are working with the site to improve security and to prosecute those responsible.”
A spokesman for Cambridgeshire police confirmed there have been four reports of thefts from March recycling centre already this year.
Three others occurred at 4am on January 12, between January 6 and January 7 and between January 3 and 4.
The spokesman added: “Various electrical items have been stolen along with car batteries.”
Anyone with information about the thefts is urged to speak to the police.
All nine of Cambridgeshire’s recycling centres have remained open throughout the third coronavirus lockdown.
However this may change at short a notice, and visitors are asked to reserve a slot before arrival.
But this hasn’t stopped fly-tippers targeting the Fenland countryside with their waste.
Morton’s Bridge, in Outwell, has had oil containers, containers of weed killer and tractor tyres dumped into the river.
Residents are concerned about the impact this is having on polluting the water and surrounding environment.
In March, household items and children’s toys were found dumped at the bottom of Badgeney Road at the weekend.
Another spot regularly targeted is the area around Campole Drove, in Chatteris.
A resident explained toxic building waste had even been found on the area.
He said: “Everything is dumped here, from garden rubbish to household goods and builders waste, including toxic waste.”
One photograph shows a bath which allegedly had a kitchen sink underneath it.
The resident added: “I suppose one day, the hard-pressed rate payers will have to pay for it to be cleared.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here