Devon & Cornwall Police using drones to catch fly-tippers amid rise in cases
It is claimed the increasing levels of fly-tipping at West Country beauty spots is affecting farmers' mental health
Last updated 16th Mar 2022
We have learnt Devon and Cornwall Police are increasingly using drones to catch fly-tippers, following a rise in waste being dumped at beauty spots.
Edward Humber, from the South West National Farmers' Union, has told us it is now such a problem, it is affecting some farmers' mental health.
He said: "Across Devon there were 14,000 fly-tips reported last year. We know it goes under reported.
"It is determinantal on people's wellbeing and their mental health. These farmers are going along day after day after day, whether it's tyres, asbestos, it's just black bin liners full of rubbish.
"There's a farmer that had a load of tyres chucked into his field last Summer when they were just about to cut the corn.
"He couldn't go out with the combine so the impact on him delays the contractor, the process".
This week a a 'fake tip’ and environmental crime scene were set up to illustrate the problems fly tipping causes near to Yelverton.
The night before the event someone went and dumped items near to where the 'fake tip' was set up, highlighting the need for awareness.
The Devon and Cornwall Police drone surveillance team were involved to demonstrate the technology that can be used to track down tippers.
The event was supported by Clean Devon, which is a partnership of organisations working together to tackle litter and fly tipping across the county.
However it is also has a big impact in Cornwall, where fly-tipped rubbish was discovered an average of 10 times a day.
More than 3,500 incidents of fly-tipped waste were reported to Cornwall Council in 2021.
Last September, a week-long campaign was launched to reduce fly-tipping at beauty spots like Tehidy Woods.
During last September's campaign in Cornwall, the Environment Agency also warned of the cost to individuals.
Residents are being urged not to be fooled by fly-tippers and to use legitimate companies to get rid of their rubbish.
Spokesman Kevin Baker said: "Everyone needs to be reminded that it doesn’t matter where rubbish gets dumped, everyone ends up picking up the cost of this happening.
"You would not use an unqualified tradesperson to fix your boiler or rewire your house because they might be cheaper and only accept cash. And the same applies to rubbish.
"Only use permitted waste carriers or run the risk of being prosecuted if your rubbish ends up fly-tipped in places like Illogan".