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Fly-tipping - what can you do?

How to report fly-tipped rubbish.

Before you take action, make sure it's safe to do so. Be extremely careful. Remember that fly-tippers are doing something illegal - they are unlikely to welcome people observing them or taking notes or photographs. These tips can help prevent fly-tippers abusing your land. Try and work out why your land is being targeted. You can then take steps to make your property less vulnerable. What works will depend on your circumstances.

Physical improvements

  • Prevent access by installing gates and barriers. These can be in keeping with the natural environment for example you can use boulders and bunds. Make sure that you are not permanently blocking a public right of way.
  • Make sure gates are closed when not in use.
  • Improve visibility so that fly-tippers are not hidden from view - limited clearing of areas or small-scale re-landscaping can reduce hidden corners.
  • Install or improve lighting.

Site management

  • Keep areas tidy - untidy areas attract fly-tippers.
  • Remove fly-tipped waste quickly before others think they've found a good place to dump their waste as well.
  • Supervise any activities on your land involving large deliveries, especially for construction or agriculture. Unscrupulous operators may deliver something you weren't expecting.

Deterrence

  • Prosecution - encourage the authorities to take action and help them by collecting evidence. Successful prosecutions are a strong deterrent to potential fly-tippers.
  • Consider installing CCTV.
  • Consider employing professional security patrols.
  • Signage - put up signs to deter potential fly-tippers e.g. 'CCTV cameras in operation' 'This site is protected by XXX Security' 'No tipping - Maximum Penalty upon conviction £50,000'.

Managing your own waste

  • Don't create a problem for someone else and put yourself at risk of prosecution. Ensure your own waste isn't fly-tipped by checking that any waste contractor you use is operating legally. Call us on 0370 8506506 and ask for a waste carrier registration check or check online.
  • Work with others.
  • Report fly-tipping incidents to the authorities so that this crime is recorded. This helps build a true picture of the problem and encourages further action by government and others.
  • Work with neighbours to monitor fly-tipping in your area.
  • Contact your local authority or us and ask if there is a local group trying to tackle fly-tipping in your area. If there is, see if you can get involved. If not, suggest they create one.
  • Raise the issue with your local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. These statutory partnerships aim to tackle a wide range of crime and disorder problems. Details of your local partnership can be found on the Home Office Crime Reduction Website.