Fly-tipping statistics continue to make for ‘bleak reading' says CLA East Director
In the East of England there were more than 75,000 of fly-tipping incidents in 2021/22 and nearly 80,000 in the East Midlands on public land
Latest Government statistics released today (Tuesday, January 31, 2023) show there were over 1-million incidents of fly-tipping on public land in England in 2021/22.
The figures are a slight drop (4%) across England on the previous year but continue to show the scale of the crime which is a constant blight on the landscape. The statistics do not, however, account for the thousands of incidents of fly-tipping that take place on private land – that landowners have to clear at personal cost, or risk prosecution.
In the East of England there were more than 75,000 of fly-tipping incidents in 2021/22 and nearly 80,000 in the East Midlands on public land. A breakdown of the statistics for each local authority area can be found here.
In more encouraging news and following years of campaigning by the CLA, the figures show a rise in the number of fixed penalty notices issued and court fines.
Cath Crowther, East Director of the CLA, said:
“Despite a slight fall in the fly-tipping figures they continue to make for bleak reading and barely scratch the surface of a crime that’s blighting rural communities and damaging the rural economy. There is a glimmer of hope as there has been an increase in fixed penalty notices and court fines, but there is still a long, long way to go.
Two-thirds of all farmers and landowners have at some stage been a victim and bear the cost of removing rubbish themselves, or risk prosecution themselves.
“It’s not just the odd piece of litter blotting the landscape, but tonnes of household and commercial waste which can often be hazardous – even including asbestos and chemicals - risking the safety of people and animals. This often requires costly expert treatment to remove.
“Landowners pay on average £1,000 to remove the waste on their land, but in some cases have paid up to £100,000 to clear up other people’s mess.
“The UK Government’s promises to clamp down on fly-tipping are yet to yield serious results. It seems that criminals simply do not fear prosecution. Without more progress, landowners, not the criminals, will continue to pay the price.”