A "SNITCH'' line has been set up by Hyndburn Council so residents can report neighbours who litter their streets.
The problems of fly-tipping and residents putting out rubbish well before bin collections have blighted the borough, and resulted in record complaints to the council about street cleanliness.
But now a special phone number is in place for residents to use in confidence.
Council leader Peter Britcliffe said offenders would be taken to court and made an example of.
But Councillor Siddique Kazi, Cabinet member for community cohesion, slammed the move, saying it could be open to abuse and that he would never use it.
He said: "I wouldn't report anyone. I'm against this because it's not cohesive. Islam says you should care for your neighbours, regardless of who they are.
"If I had a problem with my neighbour I would go to him and ask if I could help. I would say there was an environmental health hazard. That's more cohesive. The council is only trying to help with this, though."
But Councillor Britcliffe said something had to be done.
"It's very difficult to do anything unless residents tell us," he said.
"But they've been worried their names would be released and they'd be involved but that won't happen. This is a confidential line. The problem is throughout Hyndburn. We need more help from the public who can give us names and registration numbers of vehicles."
Hundreds of special "snitch'' cards have been printed and distributed to libraries and will be available at area council meetings.
Steve Tanti, director of community services, said residents making crank claims against neighbours would be dealt with, but the reporting line was an extra weapon in the battle with fly-tippers.
He said: "The aim of the initiative is to improve environmental conditions for the whole community."
