Fly-tipping appeal as number of incidents reaches 17,500

Residents in Newquay are being urged to help tackle fly-tipping as Cornwall Council launches a new crackdown.

With 17,500 fly-tipping incidents recorded across the county in the last five years, the Council is asking for resident’s help catching offenders alongside their own new measures. 

They’ve increased the maximum fine for fly-tipping from £1,000 to £5,000 and are using covert cameras to help identify offenders. Their Community Protection Team also has powers to seize vehicles believed to have been used for fly-tipping.

The Council are encouraging residents to support their efforts by reporting any fly-tipping on public land and providing any photos or videos which could help identify those responsible. They’re also reminding people to check that anyone they pay to remove waste is a license waste carrier, adding that it’s later dumped householders could be fined. 

Speaking about the new campaign, Group Leader for Community Protection at Cornwall Council, Sarah-Jane Brown, said: “We work hard to identify those responsible for illegal dumping and will hold offenders to account wherever possible.

"We're asking people to play their part and work with us to prevent fly-tipping, and to share any information that may help us trace those responsible for dumping rubbish."

Cabinet member with responsibility for Community Safety and Public Protection at Cornwall Council, Councillor Thalia Marrington, warned: "Fly-tipping can cause serious harm to our communities, the environment and wildlife.

"It also costs councils and landowners huge amounts of money to clear up.

"This is an issue that we take really seriously and those who choose to dump waste illegally should be in no doubt that we will pursue enforcement action wherever possible."