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Fly-tipping discovered 2,700 times a day in England | Fly-tipping discovered 2,700 times a day in England |
(3 days later) | |
Almost one million crimes of fly-tipping were reported by councils across England during 2017-18, the first fall in five years. | Almost one million crimes of fly-tipping were reported by councils across England during 2017-18, the first fall in five years. |
Councils recorded 997,553 incidents of illegal dumping, an average of more than 2,700 a day. | Councils recorded 997,553 incidents of illegal dumping, an average of more than 2,700 a day. |
It was a slight decrease on the 1,011,000 in 2016-17 and is the first time the figure has dropped since 2013. | It was a slight decrease on the 1,011,000 in 2016-17 and is the first time the figure has dropped since 2013. |
The government said two-thirds of fly-tipping involved household waste. | The government said two-thirds of fly-tipping involved household waste. |
It did not reveal the total cost to taxpayers of clearing fly-tipped rubbish, saying the estimates were "outdated". | It did not reveal the total cost to taxpayers of clearing fly-tipped rubbish, saying the estimates were "outdated". |
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said 69,000 fixed penalties were issued during 2017-18, a 20% rise on the previous year. | The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said 69,000 fixed penalties were issued during 2017-18, a 20% rise on the previous year. |
Councils were given the power to issue on the spot fines of up to £400 to fly-tippers in 2016. | Councils were given the power to issue on the spot fines of up to £400 to fly-tippers in 2016. |
The government is planning to extend fines to householders who pay someone else to take their rubbish away, if it is then fly-tipped. | The government is planning to extend fines to householders who pay someone else to take their rubbish away, if it is then fly-tipped. |
The change is expected to take effect by the end of the year but a date has not yet been set. | The change is expected to take effect by the end of the year but a date has not yet been set. |
You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
Rates of tipping varied across England. | Rates of tipping varied across England. |
In Hammersmith and Fulham there were 18,652 incidents, equivalent to about one for every 10 people living in the London borough. | In Hammersmith and Fulham there were 18,652 incidents, equivalent to about one for every 10 people living in the London borough. |
However, a spokesman said the council had made it easier for people to report fly-tipping via a mobile phone app and was "ruthlessly efficient" at removing rubbish. | |
"These figures just don't reflect reality," he said. "Independent surveys recently showed our streets are the cleanest they've ever been." | |
'No excuse' | 'No excuse' |
In Birmingham, fly-tipping was up 8% on the year before. | In Birmingham, fly-tipping was up 8% on the year before. |
The Alum Rock Community Forum has been advising residents of how to contact the city council and report fly-tipping, but also remove bags of rubbish and other dumped waste themselves. | The Alum Rock Community Forum has been advising residents of how to contact the city council and report fly-tipping, but also remove bags of rubbish and other dumped waste themselves. |
Javed Iqbal from Bordesley Green chairs the forum and said: "This is about a lack of respect for the area and a lack of education. There's no excuse for it. | Javed Iqbal from Bordesley Green chairs the forum and said: "This is about a lack of respect for the area and a lack of education. There's no excuse for it. |
"We've taken van-loads of waste to the Birmingham tips and it's easy and free. They're open every day." | "We've taken van-loads of waste to the Birmingham tips and it's easy and free. They're open every day." |
Father-of-three Mr Iqbal said the threat of fines was not a deterrent. | Father-of-three Mr Iqbal said the threat of fines was not a deterrent. |
"It's difficult to trace people because most people don't leave their name and address with their rubbish. Unless we empower people to take pride again, nothing will change." | "It's difficult to trace people because most people don't leave their name and address with their rubbish. Unless we empower people to take pride again, nothing will change." |
'Knock on the door' | 'Knock on the door' |
Gary Palin from Crewe started a Facebook group for people to highlight fly-tipping. It now has more than 1,000 members. | Gary Palin from Crewe started a Facebook group for people to highlight fly-tipping. It now has more than 1,000 members. |
The 39-year-old lorry driver said he thinks councils need more powers and to be willing to use them. | The 39-year-old lorry driver said he thinks councils need more powers and to be willing to use them. |
"There will be lots of opinions on this but I think for most people it's simply find out who's doing it and stop them," he said. | "There will be lots of opinions on this but I think for most people it's simply find out who's doing it and stop them," he said. |
"A knock on the door from a council officer and an informal chat would be enough to change their behaviour. Unfortunately some people will only learn if it hits their pocket." | "A knock on the door from a council officer and an informal chat would be enough to change their behaviour. Unfortunately some people will only learn if it hits their pocket." |
He also suggested councils dispose of bulky items for free for people who could not afford the charges. | He also suggested councils dispose of bulky items for free for people who could not afford the charges. |
'Environmental vandalism' | 'Environmental vandalism' |
Authorities are trying different methods to encourage people to throw away bulky waste responsibly. | Authorities are trying different methods to encourage people to throw away bulky waste responsibly. |
Walsall Council is planning to put a free skip in each of its 20 wards every Saturday. The area recorded 4,367 incidents of fly-tipping in 2017-18, a slight drop on the year before. | Walsall Council is planning to put a free skip in each of its 20 wards every Saturday. The area recorded 4,367 incidents of fly-tipping in 2017-18, a slight drop on the year before. |
Councillor Martin Tett from the Local Government Association said fly-tipping was "unsightly and unacceptable environmental vandalism". | Councillor Martin Tett from the Local Government Association said fly-tipping was "unsightly and unacceptable environmental vandalism". |
"New fixed penalty notice powers from the government will help but every single conviction for more serious fly-tipping offences still results in council taxpayers having to pick up the bill," he said. | "New fixed penalty notice powers from the government will help but every single conviction for more serious fly-tipping offences still results in council taxpayers having to pick up the bill," he said. |
"Manufacturers can also contribute, by providing more take-back services so people can hand in old furniture and mattresses when they buy new ones." | "Manufacturers can also contribute, by providing more take-back services so people can hand in old furniture and mattresses when they buy new ones." |
A Defra spokeswoman said: "New fixed penalty notices for householders who pass their waste to a fly-tipper also come into force shortly, as we continue our efforts to crack down on those who blight our landscapes." | A Defra spokeswoman said: "New fixed penalty notices for householders who pass their waste to a fly-tipper also come into force shortly, as we continue our efforts to crack down on those who blight our landscapes." |