One of the most significant and damaging environmental crimes in
the district is the act of fly-tipping. Fly-tipping is defined as
‘the unauthorised deposit of waste on land’. It is an antisocial
act that can lead to serious pollution of the environment and cause
harm to human health, particularly if the waste is hazardous in
nature. Fly-tipping can impact upon the quality of life of local
residents and can cost innocent victims of fly-tipping, public
bodies such as local authorities and the Environment Agency, large
amounts of money to remove the waste. It is estimated that
nationally fly-tipping is costing local authorities over £50
million each year to clean up. For this reason fly-tipping is a
criminal offence with penalties of up to £50,000 and/or
imprisonment.
As it can be very difficult to prove who carried out an act of
fly-tipping Forest Heath District Council are now using covert
surveillance systems to assist in the identification and capture of
fly-tippers. The council has purchased covert surveillance
equipment to assist in identifying the individuals responsible for
fly-tipping. These cameras will be placed in known ‘hot spot’
locations to record fly-tippers in the act, these images can then
be used as evidence in court as we seek to prosecute offenders.
Did you know…
Flytipping is a serious criminal offence, which carries a
maximum penalty of £50,000 and/or 12 months imprisonment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Flytipping
What should I do if I discover an incident of
flytipping?
- Do not touch the waste – it could contain unseen hazards such
as syringes, glass, or toxic substances;
- Do not disturb the site – there may be evidence that could lead
to a prosecution;
- Make a note of its exact location;
- Visually inspect the waste to determine what the waste is and
how much there is.
What about if I witness an incident of flytipping?
If you witness an incident of flytipping, please make a
note of the following;
- The date, time and place of the occurrence;
- What the waste looks like and how much there is;
- How many people were fly-tipping and what they looked
like;
- What they were actually doing;
- Any vehicles involved – the 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;
- The weather and light conditions.
Remember
Flytippers are committing a criminal offence and will not want
to be caught. Some fly-tippers may become violent. You should not
approach them. Only approach the site when you are sure it is safe
to do so.
What will the Council do?
- The Council will investigate incidents of flytipping and seek
to prosecute offenders;
- The Council will remove incidents of flytipping from Public
land, or work with landowners if it is on private land.
How do I report an incident of flytipping?
- Telephone us on 01638 719284;
- Contact us online by clicking
here;
- Send an email to
sort-it@forest-heath.gov.uk;
or
- Write to us at Forest Heath District Council, Environmental
Services, College Heath Road, Mildenhall, IP28 7EY.
What can I do if I don’t want to give my details?
- If you do not wish to give your details you can report an
incident anonymously and we will investigate it.
What can I do with any extra waste I want to get rid of?
- The Council operates a bulky collection service, for more
information click
here;
- Extra waste can also be taken to any of the local Household
Waste and Recycling Centres,
click here for more
information.
Important information for householders
If you intend using anyone other than the Council to remove your
waste, you have a duty to check that they are legally licensed to
do so; click here for more
information.