Wiltshire's PCC joins calls to get tougher on flytipping

Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner is calling for tougher penalties for those caught flytipping.

He's joining four other PCCs from across the South West - Avon & Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Devon & Cornwall to ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to make changes.

Philip Wilkinson has described flytipping as a 'growing menace' and 'another form of anti-social behaviour which communities across Wiltshire have grown tired of'.

The PCC's recommendations to Government 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

55,162 fly-tipping incidents were recorded across the South West in 2020/21, according to figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

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.

Wiltshire PCC, Philip 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."

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