Flytipping
||In an effort to reduce the number of fly-tipping incidences, the Council provides a refuse collection for large items.
The fly-tipping of waste is a serious criminal offence which carries a fine of up to £20,000 (unlimited if indicted to the Crown Court) or an offender can even be sent to prison. It is important to realise that it is also an offence to permit fly-tipping.
Fly-tipping is often associated with dumping waste from vehicles. In this case the person controlling the use of the vehicle can also be prosecuted, which means that it is possible for a prosecution to occur when only the vehicle, not the driver, is identifiable.
The police also have the powers to seize vehicles used for fly-tipping.
What to do if you discover fly-tipped waste
If you discover fly-tipped waste after the tippers have left, please follow these simple dos and don'ts:
- Do not touch the waste. Fly-tipped waste can be dangerous - it may contain syringes, broken glass, asbestos, toxic chemicals or other hazardous substances.
- Do visually inspect the waste. Try to determine what the waste consists of and how much there is.
- Do take note of its exact location, and also whether it is in or near water.
- Do not disturb the site. There may be evidence that could help identify the culprits and lead to their prosecution.
- Do contact the Street Cleansing team to report the waste.
What to do If You See Fly-tipping in progress
If you discover someone in the process of fly-tipping, please try to record as much information about the incident as possible, but don't put yourself in danger. Remember that fly-tippers are acting illegally and may become violent if they realise they have been observed.
If possible, please make a note of:
- The day, date and time you saw the tipping.
What you saw:
- How many people were fly-tipping and what they looked like;
- What they were actually doing;
- Any vehicles involved - their make, colour and registration number.
Where you were when you saw the fly-tipping:
- What kind of view you had;
- How far away you were;
- The weather and light conditions at the time.
What was tipped:
- The quantity of waste - e.g. two bags, one van load, multiple loads;
- A description of the waste or any containers that you saw.
Don't put yourself at risk!
Please contact the Street Cleansing team to report fly-tipping.
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