Just 13.6% of Dorset flytipping incidents lead to enforcement action
The GMB Union is calling on councils to do more
Last updated 6th Apr 2022
Trade union, the GMB, is urging councils across the country, including in Dorset, to get tougher on flytippers.
Latest stats from the Government show that in the Dorset Council area, 1,937 cases of illegal waste dumping were reported to the authority in 2020-21.
Court action or fines were handed out to the culprits in 263 of those incidents - that's just 13.6% of reported cases.
But Dorset does have the 4th best record in the South West.
In the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area, 2,791 incidents were reported - with ZERO prosecutions taken forward
Justin Bowden, GMB Southern Regional Secretary, said:
“Government and local councils have to be more proactive in dealing with fly tipping incidents. The data for 2020-21 shows far too much variation in the numbers of actions councils take in response to fly tipping incidents. Many councils take far too little serious action after fly-tipping has been investigated. Councils need to up their game on dealing with this deeply anti-social behaviour.
“These latest figures show that some councils are not as proactive as they should be in dealing with fly-tipping. GMB is calling on all councils to be more active to investigate and punish the anti-social behaviour of fly-tippers.
“There needs to be better education on the costs of dealing with the problem and how people can dispose of rubbish and unwanted items properly.
“Councils must invest in easy to access recycling and disposal facilities for residents to use and offer accessible collection schemes for bulk items.
“Councils have to firmly clamp down on fly tipping through larger fines, investment in surveillance equipment and rigorous investigation of incidents and follow up action. Some councils have a poor record on this which encourages an attitude of impunity. A uniform policy of punishing cowboy builders identified fly-tipping, by confiscating their vehicles would send the right message.
“We need a policy of zero tolerance with action against fly tipping on all fronts at all times.”