Rubbish news as f ly-tipping tops 20,000 cases each week

NEARLY 20,000 cases of fly-tipping occur each week, figures released today reveal.

In 2019/2020 local authorities in England had to deal with nearly 1million fly-tipping incidents, from clearing tyres, car bumpers and even a boat.

The number of court fines issued increased by 30 per cent to 2,671 over the same period with the total value hitting £1.09million – a 7 per cent rise on the previous year.

Councils are working hard to try to crack down on offenders, said the Local Government Association (LGA). It has urged everyone to dispose of their waste properly, using their nearest household waste recycling centre or at a private disposal company.

Councillor David Renard of the LGA said: ‘Fly-tipping is inexcusable. It is not only an eyesore for residents but a serious public health risk, creating pollution and attracting rats. It also costs local taxpayers almost £50million a year to clear up which could be better spent on other vital services.

‘Councils are determined to crack down on the problem. However, prosecuting fly- tippers often requires time-consuming and laborious investigations, with a high threshold of proof.’

He added: ‘With 20,000 incidents of fly-tipping a week, it is time the Government looks at its sentencing guidelines to ensure that those caught and prosecuted for fly-tipping receive significant fines that are recovered quickly to deter them from spoiling our parks, highways and verges again, and to help offset the huge costs to councils.’

Over a year, town halls dealt with 976,000 fly-tipping incidents. The shocking government figures came as the country gears up for the Great British Spring Clean, organised by Keep Britain Tidy and backed by the Daily Mail.

East Herts Council prosecuted four individuals in relation to fly-tipping last month, including one man who dumped a blue boat in a lay-by, obstructing drivers.

Meanwhile, St Albans City and District Council collected 750 bags of litter, 19 tyres, nine car bumpers and more during just four litter picks.

Durham County Council ordered two men to pay more than £3,000 for fly-tipping building waste. While Braintree Council in Essex had to remove 20 tonnes of wood chippings that had been illegally dumped.

And the New Forest National Park in Hampshire has introduced a ban on disposable barbecues after a spate of fires caused by them.

The authority has urged local businesses to stop selling them.