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Nearly 6,000 homes in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are classed as 'long-term empty', a figure which has risen by over 40% year-on-year. Campaigners, including Councillor Milly Boylan, says the issue is a 'catastrophe' with many becoming derelict eyesores. Tom Edwards reports. Herefordshire Council in a statement said it is making use of extra powers from the Government to tackle empty homes, including levying higher council tax bills on them. Some councils from Herefordshire and Worcestershire are even going into properties, doing them up, then billing the owner, to encourage them to sell up. A statement from the Ministry for Housing said: "We know that too many empty homes in an area can have a significant impact on local communities. "That’s why we have given councils stronger powers to increase council tax on long term empty homes - and we are considering further action."