The owners of a Surrey farm are facing a £10,000 clean-up bill after 20 tonnes of waste were illegally dumped on a field by a suspected criminal gang.

The fly-tipping incident which took place between Elstead and Milford during the early hours of Sunday morning could be one of the worst locally in recent history.

The culprits cut a lock to gain access with the owners of Oxenford Farm have pleaded with anyone who has potential CCTV or dashcam footage to get in touch urgently.

The “substantial fly-tipping” on the cattle grazing field included large vehicle parts and the remnants of a possible cannabis farm, with another similar incident also reportedly taking place in nearby Peper Harow.

“They must have had seven or eight lorries in during the night, during the early hours,” said the “devastated” farmer, who has asked not to be named by the Herald.

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Large pipes and household items were among the many items dumped. (Oxenford Farm)

“There is lots of household waste, lots of car parts, engine oil and possibly pipes used for skunk. There were some big pipes that reeked of skunk.

“I’ve told the police but within four hours they closed the gate and left. They’re not at all interested and neither is the council, so I’ve got to pay to clean it up.”

The farmer – who believes a criminal gang was behind the “horrific” incident because of the scale – is facing the awful prospect of footing the bill as clearing fly-tipped waste from private land is the legal responsibility of the landowner.

Supt Chris Tinner, Surrey Police’s lead for rural crime, has called illegal fly-tipping “a really significant problem” in the county with incidents ranging from small van loads to OCG’s dumping 44-tonne lorry loads of waste.

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Large car parts were also dumped, with the victim believing the act was carried out by a criminal gang. (Oxenford Farm)

“We’ve had fly-tipping at the gates before but not on the farm itself - It’s always been at the layby, where the odd bag and sofa has been dumped,” said the farmer.

“It’s devastating, really. People have been very kind, saying it’s terrible but nobody seems to have seen anything. I’m just hoping someone has.”

The incident is believed to have occurred sometime between midnight and dawn on Sunday, September 13. Witnesses or anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 101 quoting 45260111393.

Alternatively, get in touch via the 24/7 Live chat at www.surrey.police.uk or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.