CRIMINALS who abandon and set ablaze stolen vehicles are hitting the pockets of West Devon taxpayers.
Glyn Bradbury, the senior ranger for the South Devon region, which includes Burrator, has expressed his fury at the number of burnt-out cars being abandoned, saying they are unsightly ? and dangerous.
The latest incident occurred at Burrator Reservoir last week and involved a W-registered Jaguar which ploughed through a fence and gate causing more than £400 worth of damage.
The car was then torched and left burning overnight before being discovered by Mr Bradbury the following day.
Recovery of abandoned vehicles cost West Devon Borough Council £4,500 over the last 12 months, a figure which takes into account neither the money spent on clean-up operations and prosecution fees nor the devastating effects on the moorland landscape and local wildlife.
Mike Nendik, of Dartmoor National Park Authority, said the environmental and public health risks associated with such crimes were ?extremely serious?.
He said: ?The recovery and removal of burnt-out cars is both costly and hazardous; the waste chemicals and fumes from burning vehicles are highly toxic.
?Mechanisms such as airbags can explode with enough force to kill a bystander. Members of the public should look out for their own safety and keep well away from them.
?Sadly we can?t warn wildlife or livestock in the same way and many are poisoned or badly injured as a result.?
Bridget Norris, of the Environment Agency, said the way forward was for people to keep their eyes peeled and report incidents on the agency?s 24-hour helpline, 0800 807060.
The agency is currently imposing a major crackdown on arsonists and fly-tippers with successful prosecutions in a magistrates? court leading to fines of up to £20,000 and a six-month prison sentence.
Crown Court proceedings carry even heavier penalties ? unlimited fines and between two and five years in jail.