Fly-tipping remains a serious concern as latest figures released

Fly-tipping remains a ‘serious concern’ as latest figures show there were 1.15 million incidents on public land in England in 2023/24, 6% up on the previous year.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) in the East, which represents farmers, landowners and rural businesses, has responded to the new statistics that highlight there were nearly 87,000 incidents of fly-tipping in the East of England and 96,000 in the East Midlands.

Worryingly, the number of court fines and fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping have both decreased in England.

The figures do not account for waste dumped on private land, so the true volume of incidents will be far higher than the numbers suggest.

View the figures for every local authority in England here >

Tonnes of household and commercial waste is dumped on public and private land in rural areas on a regular basis, including hazardous chemicals and asbestos. This endangers farmers, visitors to the countryside, wildlife, livestock, crops and the environment.

A new snapshot CLA survey shows nearly 95% of respondents believe local authorities need increased resourcing to help fight the war on waste.

Almost 40% had experienced at least six separate incidents in the past year, and more than 75% said fly-tipping has a significant financial impact on their business. If they do not clear the waste dumped on their land, at personal cost, they risk being prosecuted.

The CLA has challenged the government to launch its rural crime strategy, which it promised before the election, but is yet to publish.

CLA Regional Director Cath Crowther, said:

“Fly-tipping remains a scourge on the landscape for those who live and work in the countryside and it is a serious concern that incidents of fly-tipping are still increasing.

“At the same time, we are seeing the number of court fines for fly-tipping and fixed penalty notices decreasing in England.

“All too often we see piles of waste dumped in farmers’ fields and in gateways, posing a risk to people and wildlife.

“This is not a victimless crime. Farmers and landowners face having to clear waste dumped on their land at personal expense or face the risk of prosecution. Some are having to clear rubbish on a weekly basis and the costs of removing it can soon spiral.

"It is unjust for local authorities to threaten action against private landowners as it criminalises the victims of waste crime.”

The CLA is calling for the various enforcement agencies to be properly trained and resourced to tackle the crime. It is also important for those who are caught in the act to face tougher punishments to ensure there is an effective deterrent.

Householders whose waste is fly-tipped can be prosecuted, so if you pay someone to dispose of your rubbish, make sure they have a waste carriers licence. Otherwise, their fly-tipping could be your responsibility.