Fly-tipped waste discovered EIGHT times a day in Wiltshire
The crime is being driven by conmen collecting rubbish for free and disposing of it illegally
Last updated 5th Mar 2021
Fly-tipped waste is found eight times a day in Wiltshire, that's according to data by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
2823 fly-tipping incidents were reported to Wiltshire Council in 2019-20, one more than the previous year.
The Local Government Association is warning that the offence costs taxpayers almost £50 million a year to clear up.
Dumped waste was found on Wiltshire's roads and pavements 1,531 times, while 444 discoveries were made on footpaths and bridleways.
WHO IS FLY TIPPING IN WILTSHIRE?
Environmental Charity, Keep Britain Tidy, says the crime is being driven by conmen who offer to remove household rubbish for a fee but do not dispose of it correctly.
Fly-tipped rubbish can include household waste, white goods and construction waste.
Across England, the most common amount of rubbish dumped and reported to councils is equivalent to a small van load.
In Wiltshire, Rubbish loads of this size of waste were dumped illegally on 993 occasions.
A further 219 incidents saw fly-tippers discard enough rubbish to fill a tipper lorry each, costing the council £219,000 to clear.
'FLY TIPPING IS INEXCUSABLE'
David Renard, environment spokesman for the Local Government Association, said it shouldn't be happening.
"It is not only an eyesore for residents, but a serious public health risk, creating pollution and attracting rats and other vermin.
"We continue to urge the Government to review sentencing guidelines for fly-tipping, so that offenders are given bigger fines for more serious offences to act as a deterrent."
He added that manufacturers should provide more take-back services so customers can hand in old goods when they buy new ones.
In 2019 to 2020, Wiltshire Council took action over 2970 fly-tipping offences..
The authority undertook 2823 investigations, wrote 67 warning letters and issued 23 fixed penalty notices.
It also prosecuted six incidents in court, at a cost of £8900 which resulted in four fines, totalling £3036, being handed to offenders.