FRUSTRATED parents have handed out leaflets to raise awareness of an increase in dog fouling near a school.

Campaigners are encouraging people to complain to Waltham Forest Council about the problem outside Oakhill Primary School in Woodford Green.

Helen Victor, 46, is among dozens of parents who say fouling has increased since Waltham Forest Council removed bins specifically for dog mess.

The bins were removed at the end of last year but Mrs Victor said irresponsible dog owners are not picking up their pets' mess and putting it in normal bins.

Mrs Victor, whose five-year-old daughter Amelie is a pupil at Oakhill, said: "Parents believe that this increase is the result of the policy of Waltham Forest to no longer regard dog mess as hazardous or toxic.

"The council has not only removed all dog waste bins but their 'anti street pollution' policy has led to the removal of all signs reminding members of the public to clear up after their dog.

"It is even an offence for a member of the public to put up such a sign outside their child’s school."

Mrs Victor, who is a dog owner herself, said there is the same problem outside Chingford's Joseph Clarke School, which is particularly alarming as the school caters for pupils with visual impairment.

Clyde Loakes, Waltham Forest Council's cabinet member for environment, said: "We have not received any complaints regarding dog mess in this location, but will be investigating this matter now it has been brought to our attention.

"While we understand parents' anger, we rely on information from residents to highlight issues of concern and we will be doing everything we can to track down the people responsible for this disgusting practice.

"The Dog Team will patrol the area to educate irresponsible dog owners and enforce the Council's Dog Control Orders.

"If residents have information regarding those irresponsible dog owners responsible for polluting this area, I would urge them to contact the council on 020 8496 3000.

"You can put dog waste in normal litter bins, we have approximately 2,000 of them situated around this borough and there is absolutely no excuse for leaving your dog's mess on the streets or green areas in Waltham Forest."