46 flytipping convictions in Buckinghamshire in 2020
It was the third-best year ever for the waste enforcement team
46 people were convicted of flytipping in Buckinghamshire last year, with two people jailed.
The Council enforcement team had their third best year ever in terms of tracking down and punishing flytippers, despite a five month pause of court proceedings.
Bill Chapple OBE, Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, commended the team:
"Considering all the challenges of coronavirus we've had to face, this is certainly a very impressive result for our enforcement team.
"One of the more surprising challenges has been a national surge in fly tipping since the first lockdown came into force - and this has certainly been noticed locally.
"Hopefully this behaviour will reduce once the current situation passes, though it remains a fact that as much as two thirds of fly tipping in Buckinghamshire is done for commercial gain - either a trader avoiding disposal costs or the result of a 'no questions asked' waste removal job for a business owner or householder."
In the 2020 calendar year, there were 46 fly-tipping convictions.
- £36,543 was imposed in fines
- £47,010 was awarded in costs, compensation etc
- There were two imprisonments
- Two drivers were disqualified.
- Coupled with victim surcharges, fixed penalties paid etc, the offenders faced a total bill in excess of £100,000.
Bill continued:
"Despite the challenges, our enforcement team is well-placed to maintain the council's zero-tolerance approach to illegal dumping - prosecuting or issuing fixed penalty notices whenever there is evidence against an offender.
"I'd like to highlight two important ways that the public can help in the fight against fly tipping. Firstly, if you're having rubbish removed, remember your duty of care - choose a bona fide waste carrier, and never pay in cash, as it helps an offender avoid being traced.
"Secondly, if you witness fly tipping taking place and it's safe to do so, it's a great help to us if you can collect evidence - especially a vehicle registration number - that can allow us to trace the offender. But never put yourself at risk, and avoid confronting someone you've witnessed fly tipping."
We're being asked to report dumped rubbish so more can be caught.