Fly-tipping

Fly-tipping is a crime. The Council treats the problem very seriously and employs officers to investigate and follow up reports of fly-tipping. We will prosecute anyone caught fly-tipping waste.

If there is any sign of leaking chemicals, fumes or chemical dusts, CALL THE EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY ON 999 OR 112. The Fire and Rescue service is equipped to contain this sort of incident.

If there is any threat to water, CALL THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY IMMEDIATELY, on their INCIDENT HOTLINE 0800 80-70-60; they are equipped to minimise further damage to water ecology.

For incidents where there is no immediate threat, report the incident to the Council using the Freephone number in the Contact This Service box above and to the right.

The fly-tipping of controlled waste is a serious criminal offence which on conviction carries a fine of up to £50,000 (unlimited if indicted to the Crown Court) and up to 12 months in prison (5 years at Crown Court). You should realise that it is also an offence to permit fly-tipping on land that you own or occupy.

Fly-tipping is often done from vehicles. In this case the person controlling the use of the vehicle can also be prosecuted, so 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.

If you discover fly-tipped waste after the tippers have left, please follow these simple Do's and Dont's:

• Don't touch the waste: fly-tipped waste can be dangerous - it may contain syringes, rotting meat, 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 report it to the council.
• Don't disturb the site: there may be evidence that could help identify the culprits and lead to their prosecution.

If You See Someone Fly-tipping:

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 were you when you saw the fly-tipping:

What kind of view you had

How far away you were

Weather and light conditions

What was tipped:
- How much?
- What it looked like

Report it to the council

This information can help with a prosecution.

Remember - Don't Put Yourself At Risk!

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