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An operation by police started after a postal worker reported suspicious activity and more than 20 uncollected parcels were seized at a sorting office.

The authority believes more than 12,000 tonnes of uncollected waste have accumulated on streets this week as all-out strike action by refuse workers continues.

Although the picture is patchy, a council source acknowledged that the amount of uncollected rubbish had started to build again and likened managing the situation to "a game of jenga."

Refuse workers started an all-out strike in March and residents began to complain about infestations of "cat-sized rats" as uncollected waste piled up on city streets.

The authority said in April clearing the backlog was "on track" and the amount of uncollected waste had peaked at 22,000 tonnes.