"VERMIN" and "Rats" are just some of the words irate West Fifers have used to describe fly-tippers who dumped a huge commercial freezer in a cemetery.

The appliance was discovered by Fife Council last week in the car park at Inverkeithing Cemetery at Hope Street, ironically just a few yards from a 'No Dumping' sign.

The Safer Communities team took to social media to share their thoughts. They said: "Commercial freezer dumped in Inverkeithing Cemetery car park.

"No respect, no conscience, no thought for others. #takeresponsibility #noexcuses #weallhavechoices"

Some locals believe they saw the same freezer on Chalmers Street in Dunfermline the previous week and the Safer Communities team asked those with information to report those details.

But many voiced their anger at the way the cemetery had been treated.

Replying to the post from the Safer Communities team, Alistair Mcpherson said: "It amazes me how these people treat their country. I wonder how many of them then go on to wave a flag. None I hope. Just pure uneducated trash."

Betsy Wojcik added: "Just waiting on the 'It's because the recycling centres are closed' nonsense appearing ... There is NO excuse for this."

Inverkeithing councillor Alice McGarry said that, although this was the first time she had heard of illegal dumping at the town's cemetery, there had been reports of regular fly-tipping in other parts, such as the quarry.

"I understand that a private party picked it up, such as a metal collector in the end," she explained.

"There is a big issue with people dumping in Fife but still looking at this it's not your normal case. I would say someone has been paid.

"I think people are paying companies in good faith to get rid of their goods but they're just dumping it in the countryside.

"It's very disrespectful – people feel they can just treat the environment in this way.

"Fife Council have also been contacting owners of the papermill and quarry where dumping has been taking place but we can only get in touch as we can't go on to private land."

Councillor Ross Vettraino – convener of the environment, protective services and community safety committee – has confirmed that CCTV is being trialled at prominent dumping spots as the council look to take tougher action on fly-tippers.

He has also written to the Scottish Government as he wants to see local authorities given the power to follow up on those who fail to pay fixed penalty fines – treating it as a civil debt.

He said: "We are trying to develop an environmental vandalism strategy to control illegal dumping and that would include using CCTV equipment at regular dumping places in a bid to identify repeat offenders.

"Illegal dumping is a blight on the entire environment and we really must do something.

"There is absolutely no need for it in Fife. Fife Council provides one of the best kerbside collections in the country as well as recycling centres.

"We are let down by householders that are lazy and those who are charging people then dumping waste.

"There is no excuse whatsoever."