Wiltshire PCC joins forces to fight for tougher rules on fly-tipping

Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson has added his voice to his fellow south west Police and Crime Commissioners to lobby for further action against fly-tipping.

The five PCCs from Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Devon and Cornwall have agreed that more needs to be done to tackle the growing menace of fly-tipping across the countryside.

Mr Wilkinson said fly-tipping is another form of anti-social behaviour which communities across Wiltshire have grown tired of and added that more needed to be done to ensure the deterrent.

The group has lobbied the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Therese Coffey MP, to propose tougher penalties for fly tippers.

Their recommendations include:

• Increasing the maximum fixed penalty notices for small scale fly-tipping to £1000
• Changing the maximum fine of £50,000 to become a minimum fine to be imposed on repeat, large scale offenders
• A greater use of powers to impound and destroy vehicles involved in fly-tipping
• Introducing a national waste crime offenders list for individuals and companies
• Supporting and funding the creation of a national analysis resource to enable the police to effectively collect and analyse data on fly-tipping in rural areas and to tackle organised criminal gangs profiting from fly-tipping in the countryside

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), a total of 55,162 fly-tipping incidents were recorded across the South West in 2020/21, up from 50,506 during the previous 12 months. The cost of fly-tipping on private land is around £150 million a year, and the cost to clear fly-tipping for local authorities in England is nearly £50 million.

Mr Wilkinson said: “Fly-tipping has a detrimental effect on the environment it’s something we need to crack down on in Wiltshire. It’s not only destroying our beautiful countryside, but also costing our already stretched local authorities millions of pounds.

“We believe it’s time to put the cost onto the criminals, not the taxpayers. With the current cost of living crisis this change has never been so crucial.

“The government has the goal to eradicate waste crime by 2043. If this target is going to be met, then there needs to be greater coordination across the country and tougher penalties to deter criminals.

“My fellow PCCs and I look forward to hearing back from the secretary of state on this extremely important matter.”

If you report an incident of fly-tipping to Wiltshire Council, you could get a gift voucher of up to £200 following payment of a fixed penalty notice or successful prosecution. The council will then pay contractors to clear the area. You can find out more about Wiltshire Council’s fly-tipping policy and report an incident here.

In Swindon, you can report fly-tipping online by marking the affected area on a map. If the rubbish has been left on private land, it is normally the responsibility of the landowner to clear it. However, the council will take action in certain circumstances. You can find out more about Swindon Borough Council’s fly-tipping policy and report an incident here.

Published Thursday 16 March 2023