Just 4% of Wiltshire fly-tipping incidents resulted in serious enforcement action
The GMB Union is calling on councils to do more
Last updated 6th Apr 2022
Councils across the country, including in Wiltshire and Hampshire are being urged to get tougher on fly-tippers.
Research from the GMB Union shows while there were thousands of incidents of illegally dumped rubbish, after the initial investigation only a small number lead to serious enforcement action.
Powers councils have include issuing a warning letter, statutory notice or fixed penalty notice as well as seizing any vehicles involved, issuing a formal caution, prosecution or an injunction. There can be more than one action per incident.
Government stats show in the Wiltshire Council area, 3,742 cases of illegal waste dumping were reported to the authority in 2020-21.
Enforcement action was taken in 152 of those incidents - that's just 4.1% of reported cases.
Meanwhile the New Forest District Council had 1,155 incidents of fly-tipping with only 0.7% of those resulting in enforcement.
Test Valley Borough Council had 1,744 incidents, 15.7% of which resulted in action.
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.”